ÓÑÇéÌáʾ£ºÈç¹û±¾ÍøÒ³´ò¿ªÌ«Âý»òÏÔʾ²»ÍêÕû£¬Çë³¢ÊÔÊó±êÓÒ¼ü¡°Ë¢Ð¡±±¾ÍøÒ³£¡
my name is red-ÎÒµÄÃû×ֽкì-µÚ61²¿·Ö
¿ì½Ý²Ù×÷: °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿! Èç¹û±¾ÊéûÓÐÔĶÁÍ꣬ÏëÏ´μÌÐø½Ó×ÅÔĶÁ£¬¿ÉʹÓÃÉÏ·½ "Êղص½ÎÒµÄä¯ÀÀÆ÷" ¹¦ÄÜ ºÍ "¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©" ¹¦ÄÜ£¡
in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡wily¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡ambitious¡¡¡¡Stork¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡mistake¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡letting¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡be¡¡
awed¡¡by¡¡the¡¡intellect¡¡and¡¡morality¡¡of¡¡a¡¡man¡¡whose¡¡talent¡¡impressed¡¡him¡£¡¡I¡¯ve¡¡
seen¡¡¡¡plenty¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡times¡¡¡¡how¡¡¡¡Stork¡¡¡¡manipulated¡¡¡¡Elegant¡¡¡¡Effendi¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡taking¡¡
advantage¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡poor¡¡¡¡gilder¡¯s¡¡¡¡admiration¡£¡¡¡¡Whatever¡¡¡¡argument¡¡¡¡took¡¡¡¡place¡¡
between¡¡¡¡them£»¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡resulted¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡Elegant¡¡¡¡Effendi¡¯s¡¡¡¡murder¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡Stork¡¯s¡¡¡¡hands¡£¡¡¡¡And¡¡
since¡¡the¡¡deceased¡¡long¡¡ago¡¡confided¡¡his¡¡worries¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Erzurumis£»¡¡they£»¡¡in¡¡a¡¡
fit¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡vengeance¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡demonstrate¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡power£»¡¡¡¡went¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡kill¡¡¡¡your¡¡
Frankophile¡¡¡¡Enishte£»¡¡¡¡whom¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡held¡¡¡¡responsible¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡death¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡their¡¡
panion¡£¡¡I¡¡can¡¯t¡¡say¡¡that¡¡I¡¯m¡¡all¡¡that¡¡sorry¡¡about¡¡the¡¡whole¡¡matter¡£¡¡Years¡¡
ago£»¡¡your¡¡Enishte¡¡duped¡¡Our¡¡Sultan¡¡into¡¡having¡¡a¡¡Veian¡¡painter¡ªhis¡¡name¡¡
was¡¡Sebastiano¡ªmake¡¡a¡¡portrait¡¡of¡¡His¡¡Excellency¡¡in¡¡the¡¡Frankish¡¡style¡¡as¡¡if¡¡He¡¡
were¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡infidel¡¡¡¡king¡£¡¡¡¡Not¡¡¡¡satisfied¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡that£»¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡disgraceful¡¡¡¡affront¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡my¡¡
362¡¡
¡¡
dignity£»¡¡he¡¡had¡¡this¡¡shameful¡¡work¡¡given¡¡to¡¡me¡¡as¡¡a¡¡model¡¡to¡¡be¡¡copied£»¡¡and¡¡
out¡¡of¡¡dire¡¡fear¡¡of¡¡Our¡¡Sultan£»¡¡I¡¡dishonorably¡¡copied¡¡that¡¡picture¡¡which¡¡was¡¡
made¡¡using¡¡infidel¡¡methods¡£¡¡Had¡¡I¡¡not¡¡been¡¡forced¡¡to¡¡do¡¡that£»¡¡perhaps¡¡I¡¡could¡¡
grieve¡¡for¡¡your¡¡Enishte£»¡¡and¡¡today¡¡help¡¡find¡¡the¡¡scoundrel¡¡who¡¡killed¡¡him¡£¡¡But¡¡
my¡¡¡¡concern¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡Enishte£»¡¡¡¡it¡¯s¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡workshop¡£¡¡¡¡Your¡¡¡¡Enishte¡¡¡¡is¡¡
responsible¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡way¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡master¡¡¡¡miniaturists¡ªwhom¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡love¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡if¡¡
they¡¡were¡¡my¡¡own¡¡children£»¡¡whom¡¡I¡¡trained¡¡with¡¡doting¡¡attention¡¡for¡¡twenty¡
five¡¡¡¡years¡ªbetrayed¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡entire¡¡¡¡artistic¡¡¡¡tradition£»¡¡¡¡he¡¯s¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡blame¡¡¡¡for¡¡
their¡¡enthusiastic¡¡imitation¡¡of¡¡European¡¡masters¡¡with¡¡the¡¡justification¡¡that¡¡¡±it¡¡
is¡¡the¡¡will¡¡of¡¡Our¡¡Sultan¡£¡°¡¡Each¡¡of¡¡those¡¡disgraceful¡¡masters¡¡deserves¡¡nothing¡¡
but¡¡torture£¡¡¡If¡¡we£»¡¡the¡¡society¡¡of¡¡miniaturists£»¡¡learn¡¡to¡¡serve¡¡foremost¡¡our¡¡own¡¡
talent¡¡and¡¡art¡¡instead¡¡of¡¡Our¡¡Sultan¡¡who¡¡provides¡¡us¡¡with¡¡work£»¡¡we¡¡shall¡¡have¡¡
earned¡¡¡¡entry¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Gates¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Heaven¡£¡¡¡¡Now¡¡¡¡then£»¡¡¡¡I¡¯d¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡study¡¡¡¡this¡¡
book¡¡alone¡£¡±¡¡
Master¡¡¡¡¡¡Osman¡¡¡¡¡¡uttered¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡¡¡statement¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡¡¡wish¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
disconsolate¡¡¡¡weary¡¡¡¡pasha¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡responsible¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡military¡¡¡¡defeat¡¡¡¡and¡¡
condemned¡¡to¡¡beheading¡£¡¡He¡¡opened¡¡the¡¡book¡¡Jezmi¡¡Agha¡¡placed¡¡before¡¡him¡¡
and¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡scolding¡¡¡¡voice¡¡¡¡ordered¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡dwarf¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡turn¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡pages¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡wanted¡£¡¡
With¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡accusatory¡¡¡¡tone£»¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡instantly¡¡¡¡became¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Head¡¡¡¡Illuminator¡¡¡¡with¡¡
whom¡¡the¡¡entire¡¡workshop¡¡was¡¡familiar¡£¡¡
I¡¡withdrew¡¡into¡¡a¡¡corner¡¡among¡¡cushions¡¡embroidered¡¡with¡¡pearls£»¡¡rusty¡
barreled¡¡rifles¡¡with¡¡jewel¡studded¡¡butts¡¡and¡¡cabis£»¡¡and¡¡began¡¡eyeing¡¡Master¡¡
Osman¡£¡¡The¡¡doubt¡¡gnawing¡¡away¡¡at¡¡me¡¡spread¡¡throughout¡¡my¡¡entire¡¡being£º¡¡If¡¡
he¡¡¡¡wished¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡stop¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡creation¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Our¡¡¡¡Sultan¡¯s¡¡¡¡book£»¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡perfect¡¡¡¡sense¡¡
that¡¡Master¡¡Osman¡¡might¡¯ve¡¡orchestrated¡¡the¡¡murders¡¡of¡¡poor¡¡Elegant¡¡Effendi¡¡
and£»¡¡afterward£»¡¡of¡¡my¡¡Enishte¡ªI¡¡reprimanded¡¡myself¡¡for¡¡just¡¡now¡¡feeling¡¡such¡¡
awe¡¡¡¡toward¡¡¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡On¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡hand£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡couldn¡¯t¡¡¡¡restrain¡¡¡¡myself¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡feeling¡¡
profound¡¡¡¡respect¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡master¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡gave¡¡¡¡himself¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡
picture¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡and£»¡¡¡¡blind¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡half¡¡¡¡blind£»¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡peering¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡closely¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡if¡¡
looking¡¡with¡¡the¡¡countless¡¡wrinkles¡¡of¡¡his¡¡old¡¡face¡£¡¡It¡¡dawned¡¡on¡¡me¡¡that¡¡to¡¡
preserve¡¡the¡¡old¡¡style¡¡and¡¡the¡¡regimen¡¡of¡¡the¡¡miniaturists¡¯¡¡workshop£»¡¡to¡¡rid¡¡
himself¡¡of¡¡Enishte¡¯s¡¡book¡¡and¡¡to¡¡bee¡¡again¡¡the¡¡Sultan¡¯s¡¡only¡¡favorite£»¡¡he¡¡
would¡¡gladly¡¡surrender¡¡any¡¡one¡¡of¡¡his¡¡master¡¡miniaturists£»¡¡and¡¡me¡¡as¡¡well£»¡¡to¡¡
the¡¡¡¡torturers¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡mander¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Imperial¡¡¡¡Guard¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡furiously¡¡¡¡began¡¡¡¡to¡¡
think¡¡of¡¡freeing¡¡myself¡¡from¡¡the¡¡love¡¡that¡¡bound¡¡me¡¡to¡¡him¡¡over¡¡the¡¡last¡¡two¡¡
days¡£¡¡
363¡¡
¡¡
Much¡¡¡¡later£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡still¡¡¡¡pletely¡¡¡¡confused¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡stared¡¡¡¡randomly¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡the¡¡
illuminated¡¡pages¡¡of¡¡the¡¡volumes¡¡I¡¡extracted¡¡from¡¡chests¡¡solely¡¡to¡¡appease¡¡the¡¡
demons¡¡that¡¡had¡¡risen¡¡within¡¡me¡¡and¡¡to¡¡distract¡¡my¡¡jinns¡¡of¡¡indecision¡£¡¡
How¡¡many¡¡men¡¡and¡¡women¡¡had¡¡fingers¡¡in¡¡their¡¡mouths£¡¡¡This¡¡was¡¡used¡¡as¡¡
a¡¡¡¡gesture¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡surprise¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡workshops¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡Samarkand¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡Baghdad¡¡¡¡over¡¡
the¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡hundred¡¡¡¡years¡£¡¡¡¡As¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡hero¡¡¡¡Keyh¨¹srev£»¡¡¡¡cornered¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡enemies£»¡¡
safely¡¡crossed¡¡the¡¡rushing¡¡Oxus¡¡River¡¡aided¡¡by¡¡his¡¡black¡¡charger¡¡and¡¡Allah£»¡¡the¡¡
wretched¡¡raftsman¡¡and¡¡his¡¡oarsman£»¡¡who¡¡refused¡¡to¡¡offer¡¡him¡¡safe¡¡passage¡¡on¡¡
their¡¡¡¡raft¡¡¡¡each¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡finger¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡mouth¡£¡¡¡¡An¡¡¡¡astonished¡¡¡¡H¨¹srev¡¯s¡¡¡¡finger¡¡
remained¡¡in¡¡his¡¡mouth¡¡as¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡for¡¡the¡¡first¡¡time¡¡the¡¡beauty¡¡of¡¡Shirin£»¡¡whose¡¡
skin¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡moonlight¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡bathed¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡once¡¡¡¡glimmering¡¡¡¡lake¡¡¡¡whose¡¡
silver¡¡¡¡leaf¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡tarnished¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡spent¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡carefully¡¡¡¡examining¡¡¡¡the¡¡
gorgeous¡¡¡¡women¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡harem¡¡¡¡who£»¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡fingers¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡mouths£»¡¡¡¡stood¡¡
behind¡¡half¡opened¡¡palace¡¡doors£»¡¡at¡¡the¡¡inaccessible¡¡windows¡¡of¡¡castle¡¡towers¡¡
and¡¡peered¡¡from¡¡behind¡¡curtains¡£¡¡As¡¡Tejav£»¡¡defeated¡¡by¡¡the¡¡armies¡¡of¡¡Persia¡¡to¡¡
lose¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡crown£»¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡fleeing¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡battlefield£»¡¡¡¡Espinuy£»¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡beauty¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡beauties¡¡¡¡and¡¡
his¡¡¡¡harem¡¡¡¡favorite£»¡¡¡¡watched¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡sorrow¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡shock¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡palace¡¡¡¡window£»¡¡
finger¡¡in¡¡mouth£»¡¡begging¡¡him¡¡with¡¡her¡¡eyes¡¡not¡¡to¡¡abandon¡¡her¡¡to¡¡the¡¡enemy¡£¡¡
As¡¡¡¡Joseph£»¡¡¡¡arrested¡¡¡¡under¡¡¡¡Z¨¹leyha¡¯s¡¡¡¡false¡¡¡¡accusation¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡raped¡¡¡¡her£»¡¡¡¡was¡¡
being¡¡taken¡¡to¡¡his¡¡cell£»¡¡she¡¡stared¡¡from¡¡her¡¡window£»¡¡a¡¡finger¡¡in¡¡her¡¡beautiful¡¡
mouth¡¡in¡¡a¡¡show¡¡of¡¡devilishness¡¡and¡¡lust¡¡rather¡¡than¡¡bewilderment¡£¡¡As¡¡happy¡¡
yet¡¡somber¡¡lovers¡¡who¡¡emerged¡¡as¡¡if¡¡from¡¡a¡¡love¡¡poem¡¡were¡¡carried¡¡away¡¡by¡¡
the¡¡force¡¡of¡¡passion¡¡and¡¡wine¡¡in¡¡a¡¡garden¡¡reminiscent¡¡of¡¡Paradise£»¡¡a¡¡malicious¡¡
lady¡¡servant¡¡spied¡¡on¡¡them¡¡with¡¡an¡¡envious¡¡finger¡¡in¡¡her¡¡red¡¡mouth¡£¡¡
Despite¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡standard¡¡¡¡image¡¡¡¡recorded¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡notebooks¡¡¡¡and¡¡
memories¡¡of¡¡all¡¡miniaturists£»¡¡the¡¡long¡¡finger¡¡sliding¡¡into¡¡a¡¡beautiful¡¡woman¡¯s¡¡
mouth¡¡had¡¡a¡¡different¡¡elegance¡¡each¡¡time¡£¡¡
How¡¡¡¡much¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡illustrations¡¡¡¡fort¡¡¡¡me£¿¡¡¡¡As¡¡¡¡dusk¡¡¡¡fell£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡went¡¡¡¡to¡¡
Master¡¡Osman¡¡and¡¡said¡¡the¡¡following£º¡¡
¡°My¡¡¡¡dear¡¡¡¡master£»¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡portal¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡opened¡¡¡¡once¡¡¡¡again£»¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡your¡¡
permission£»¡¡I¡¡shall¡¡quit¡¡the¡¡Treasury¡£¡±¡¡
¡°How¡¡do¡¡you¡¡mean£¡¡±¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡¡°We¡¡still¡¡have¡¡one¡¡night¡¡and¡¡one¡¡morning¡£¡¡
How¡¡quickly¡¡your¡¡eyes¡¡have¡¡had¡¡their¡¡fill¡¡of¡¡the¡¡greatest¡¡illustrations¡¡the¡¡world¡¡
has¡¡ever¡¡known£¡¡±¡¡
As¡¡he¡¡said¡¡this£»¡¡he¡¡hadn¡¯t¡¡turned¡¡his¡¡face¡¡away¡¡from¡¡the¡¡page¡¡before¡¡him£»¡¡
yet¡¡the¡¡paleness¡¡in¡¡his¡¡pupils¡¡confirmed¡¡he¡¡was¡¡indeed¡¡gradually¡¡going¡¡blind¡£¡¡
¡°We¡¯ve¡¡learned¡¡the¡¡secret¡¡of¡¡the¡¡horse¡¯s¡¡nostrils£»¡±¡¡I¡¡said¡¡confidently¡£¡¡
364¡¡
¡¡
¡°Ha£¡¡±¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¡¡°Yes£¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡rest¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡Our¡¡¡¡Sultan¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Head¡¡¡¡Treasurer¡£¡¡
Perhaps¡¡they¡¡will¡¡pardon¡¡us¡¡all¡£¡±¡¡
Would¡¡he¡¡name¡¡Stork¡¡as¡¡the¡¡murderer£¿¡¡I¡¡couldn¡¯t¡¡even¡¡ask¡¡out¡¡of¡¡fear£»¡¡for¡¡I¡¡
worried¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡wouldn¡¯t¡¡¡¡allow¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡leave¡£¡¡¡¡Even¡¡¡¡worse£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡recurring¡¡
thought¡¡that¡¡he¡¡might¡¡accuse¡¡me¡£¡¡
¡°The¡¡plume¡¡needle¡¡Bihzad¡¡used¡¡to¡¡blind¡¡himself¡¡is¡¡missing£»¡±¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡
¡°In¡¡all¡¡probability¡¡the¡¡dwarf¡¡put¡¡it¡¡back¡¡in¡¡its¡¡place£»¡±¡¡I¡¡said¡£¡¡¡°The¡¡page¡¡before¡¡
you¡¡is¡¡so¡¡magnificent£¡¡±¡¡
His¡¡face¡¡lit¡¡up¡¡like¡¡a¡¡child¡¯s£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡smiled¡£¡¡¡°H¨¹srev£»¡¡burning¡¡with¡¡love£»¡¡as¡¡
he¡¡¡¡waits¡¡¡¡astride¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡horse¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡Shirin¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡palace¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡middle¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡
night£»¡±¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡¡°Rendered¡¡in¡¡the¡¡style¡¡of¡¡the¡¡old¡¡masters¡¡of¡¡Herat¡£¡±¡¡
He¡¡was¡¡now¡¡gazing¡¡at¡¡the¡¡picture¡¡as¡¡if¡¡he¡¡could¡¡see¡¡it£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡hadn¡¯t¡¡even¡¡
taken¡¡the¡¡magnifying¡¡glass¡¡into¡¡his¡¡hand¡£¡¡
¡°Can¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡splendor¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡leaves¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡trees¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡nighttime¡¡
darkness£»¡¡¡¡appearing¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡illuminated¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡within¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡stars¡¡¡¡or¡¡
spring¡¡¡¡flowers£»¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡humble¡¡¡¡patience¡¡¡¡implied¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡wall¡¡¡¡ornamentation£»¡¡¡¡the¡¡
refinement¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡use¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡gold¡¡¡¡leaf¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡delicate¡¡¡¡balance¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡entire¡¡
painting¡¯s¡¡position£¿¡¡Handsome¡¡H¨¹srev¡¯s¡¡horse¡¡is¡¡as¡¡graceful¡¡and¡¡elegant¡¡as¡¡
a¡¡woman¡£¡¡His¡¡beloved¡¡Shirin¡¡waits¡¡at¡¡the¡¡window¡¡above¡¡him£»¡¡her¡¡neck¡¡bowed£»¡¡
but¡¡her¡¡face¡¡proud¡£¡¡It¡¯s¡¡as¡¡if¡¡the¡¡lovers¡¡are¡¡to¡¡remain¡¡here¡¡eternally¡¡within¡¡the¡¡
light¡¡emanating¡¡from¡¡the¡¡painting¡¯s¡¡texture£»¡¡skin¡¡and¡¡subtle¡¡colors¡¡which¡¡were¡¡
applied¡¡lovingly¡¡by¡¡the¡¡miniaturist¡£¡¡You¡¡can¡¡see¡¡how¡¡their¡¡faces¡¡are¡¡turned¡¡ever¡¡
so¡¡slightly¡¡toward¡¡one¡¡another¡¡while¡¡their¡¡bodies¡¡are¡¡half¡turned¡¡toward¡¡us¡ª
for¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡know¡¡¡¡they¡¯re¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡painting¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡thus¡¡¡¡visible¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡us¡£¡¡¡¡This¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡why¡¡¡¡they¡¡
don¡¯t¡¡try¡¡to¡¡resemble¡¡exactly¡¡those¡¡figures¡¡which¡¡we¡¡see¡¡around¡¡us¡£¡¡Quite¡¡to¡¡
the¡¡contrary£»¡¡they¡¡signify¡¡that¡¡they¡¯ve¡¡emerged¡¡from¡¡Allah¡¯s¡¡memory¡£¡¡This¡¡is¡¡
why¡¡time¡¡has¡¡stopped¡¡for¡¡them¡¡within¡¡that¡¡picture¡£¡¡No¡¡matter¡¡how¡¡fast¡¡the¡¡
pace¡¡of¡¡the¡¡story¡¡they¡¡tell¡¡in¡¡the¡¡picture£»¡¡they¡¡themselves¡¡will¡¡remain¡¡for¡¡all¡¡
eternity¡¡there£»¡¡like¡¡well¡bred£»¡¡polite£»¡¡shy¡¡young¡¡maidens£»¡¡without¡¡making¡¡any¡¡
sudden¡¡gestures¡¡with¡¡their¡¡hands£»¡¡arms£»¡¡slight¡¡bodies¡¡or¡¡even¡¡eyes¡£¡¡For¡¡them£»¡¡
everything¡¡¡¡within¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡navy¡blue¡¡¡¡night¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡frozen£º¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡bird¡¡¡¡flies¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡the¡¡
darkness£»¡¡among¡¡the¡¡stars£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡fluttering¡¡like¡¡the¡¡racing¡¡hearts¡¡of¡¡the¡¡lovers¡¡
themselves£»¡¡and¡¡at¡¡the¡¡same¡¡time£»¡¡remains¡¡fixed¡¡for¡¡all¡¡eternity¡¡as¡¡if¡¡nailed¡¡to¡¡
the¡¡sky¡¡in¡¡this¡¡matchless¡¡moment¡£¡¡The¡¡old¡¡masters¡¡of¡¡Herat£»¡¡who¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡
God¡¯s¡¡velvet¡¡blackness¡¡was¡¡lowering¡¡over¡¡their¡¡eyes¡¡like¡¡a¡¡curtain£»¡¡also¡¡knew¡¡
that¡¡if¡¡they¡¡went¡¡blind¡¡while¡¡staring¡¡motionless¡¡at¡¡such¡¡an¡¡illustration¡¡for¡¡days¡¡
365¡¡
¡¡
and¡¡¡¡weeks¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡end£»¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡souls¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡mingle¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡eternity¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡
picture¡£¡±¡¡
At¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡evening¡¡¡¡prayer£»¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡portal¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Treasury¡¡¡¡was¡¡
opened¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡ceremony¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡under¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡gaze¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡throng£»¡¡
Master¡¡¡¡Osman¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡still¡¡¡¡staring¡¡¡¡intently¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡page¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡him£»¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡bird¡¡
that¡¡floated¡¡motionless¡¡in¡¡the¡¡sky¡£¡¡But¡¡if¡¡you¡¡noticed¡¡the¡¡paleness¡¡in¡¡his¡¡pupils¡¡
you¡¯d¡¡¡¡also¡¡¡¡realize¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡stared¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡page¡¡¡¡quite¡¡¡¡oddly£»¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡blind¡¡¡¡men¡¡
sometimes¡¡incorrectly¡¡orient¡¡themselves¡¡to¡¡the¡¡food¡¡before¡¡them¡£¡¡
The¡¡officers¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Treasury¡¡detail£»¡¡learning¡¡that¡¡Master¡¡Osman¡¡would¡¡stay¡¡
inside¡¡and¡¡that¡¡Jezmi¡¡Agha¡¡was¡¡at¡¡the¡¡door£»¡¡neglected¡¡to¡¡search¡¡me¡¡thoroughly¡¡
and¡¡never¡¡found¡¡the¡¡plume¡¡needle¡¡I¡¡hid¡¡in¡¡my¡¡undergarment¡£¡¡When¡¡I¡¡emerged¡¡
onto¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡streets¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Istanbul¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡palace¡¡¡¡courtyard£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡slipped¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡a¡¡
passageway¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡removed¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡terrifying¡¡¡¡object£»¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡legendary¡¡
Bihzad¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡blinded¡¡¡¡himself£»¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡where¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡was£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡stuck¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡sash¡£¡¡¡¡I¡¡
practically¡¡ran¡¡through¡¡the¡¡streets¡£¡¡
The¡¡¡¡cold¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Treasury¡¡¡¡chambers¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡perated¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡bones¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡it¡¡
seemed¡¡as¡¡though¡¡the¡¡gentle¡¡weather¡¡of¡¡an¡¡early¡¡spring¡¡had¡¡settled¡¡over¡¡the¡¡
city¡¡streets¡£¡¡As¡¡I¡¡passed¡¡the¡¡grocer£»¡¡barber£»¡¡herbalist£»¡¡fruit¡¡and¡¡vegetable¡¡shop¡¡
and¡¡firewood¡¡shop¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Old¡¡Caravansary¡¡Bazaar£»¡¡which¡¡were¡¡shutting¡¡down¡¡
one¡¡by¡¡one¡¡for¡¡the¡¡night£»¡¡I¡¡slowed¡¡my¡¡pace¡¡and¡¡carefully¡¡examined¡¡the¡¡casks£»¡¡
cloth¡¡sheets£»¡¡carrots¡¡and¡¡jars¡¡in¡¡the¡¡warm¡¡shops¡¡lit¡¡by¡¡oil¡¡lamps¡£¡¡
My¡¡¡¡Enishte¡¯s¡¡¡¡street¡¡¡¡£¨I¡¡¡¡still¡¡¡¡couldn¡¯t¡¡¡¡say¡¡¡¡¡°Shekure¡¯s¡¡¡¡street¡±¡¡¡¡let¡¡¡¡alone¡¡¡¡¡°my¡¡
street¡±£©¡¡¡¡appeared¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡stranger¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡distant¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡two¡day¡¡¡¡absence¡£¡¡
But¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡joy¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡reunited¡¡¡¡safe¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡sound¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡Shekure£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡the¡¡
thought¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡I¡¯d¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡able¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡enter¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡beloved¡¯s¡¡¡¡bed¡¡¡¡tonight¡ªsince¡¡¡¡the¡¡
murderer¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡good¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡caught¡ªmade¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡feel¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡intimate¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡whole¡¡
world¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡seeing¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡pomegranate¡¡¡¡tree¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡repaired¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡closed¡¡
shutters£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡restrain¡¡¡¡myself¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡shouting¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡farmer¡¡¡¡hollering¡¡¡¡to¡¡
someone¡¡across¡¡a¡¡stream¡£¡¡When¡¡I¡¡saw¡¡Shekure£»¡¡I¡¡wanted¡¡the¡¡first¡¡words¡¡out¡¡of¡¡
my¡¡mouth¡¡to¡¡be£»¡¡¡°We¡¡know¡¡who¡¡the¡¡wretched¡¡murderer¡¡is£¡¡±¡¡
I¡¡opened¡¡the¡¡courtyard¡¡gate¡£¡¡I¡¯m¡¡not¡¡sure¡¡if¡¡it¡¡was¡¡from¡¡the¡¡squeak¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
gate£»¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡carefree¡¡¡¡way¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡sparrow¡¡¡¡drank¡¡¡¡water¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡well¡¡¡¡bucket£»¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡the¡¡
darkness¡¡of¡¡the¡¡house£»¡¡but¡¡with¡¡the¡¡wolflike¡¡prescience¡¡of¡¡a¡¡man¡¡who¡¯d¡¡lived¡¡
alone¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡twelve¡¡¡¡years£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡understood¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡once¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡nobody¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡home¡£¡¡¡¡Even¡¡
bitterly¡¡realizing¡¡that¡¡one¡¯s¡¡been¡¡left¡¡to¡¡his¡¡own¡¡devices£»¡¡one¡¡will¡¡still¡¡open¡¡and¡¡
close¡¡all¡¡of¡¡the¡¡doors£»¡¡the¡¡cabis¡¡and¡¡even¡¡lift¡¡the¡¡lids¡¡of¡¡pots£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¯s¡¡just¡¡
what¡¡I¡¡did¡£¡¡I¡¡even¡¡looked¡¡inside¡¡the¡¡chests¡£¡¡
366¡¡
¡¡
In¡¡this¡¡silence£»¡¡the¡¡only¡¡sound¡¡I¡¡heard¡¡was¡¡the¡¡thudding¡¡of¡¡my¡¡own¡¡racing¡¡
heart¡£¡¡Like¡¡an¡¡old¡¡man¡¡who¡¯s¡¡done¡¡everything¡¡he¡¡will¡¡ever¡¡do£»¡¡I¡¡felt¡¡consoled¡¡
when¡¡I¡¡abruptly¡¡girded¡¡my¡¡sword£»¡¡which¡¡I¡¯d¡¡kept¡¡hidden¡¡at¡¡the¡¡bottom¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
most¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡way¡¡¡¡chest¡£¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡ivory¡handled¡¡¡¡sword¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡always¡¡
provided¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡inner¡¡¡¡peace¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡balance¡¡¡¡during¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡years¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡worked¡¡
with¡¡the¡¡pen¡£¡¡Books£»¡¡which¡¡we¡¡mistake¡¡for¡¡consolation£»¡¡only¡¡add¡¡depth¡¡to¡¡our¡¡
sorrow¡£¡¡
I¡¡¡¡went¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡courtyard¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡sparrow¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡flown¡¡¡¡away¡£¡¡¡¡As¡¡¡¡if¡¡
abandoning¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡sinking¡¡¡¡ship£»¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡left¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡house¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡silence¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡impending¡¡
darkness¡£¡¡
My¡¡heart£»¡¡now¡¡more¡¡confident£»¡¡told¡¡me¡¡to¡¡run¡¡and¡¡find¡¡them¡£¡¡I¡¡ran£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡
slowed¡¡through¡¡crowded¡¡places¡¡and¡¡the¡¡mosque¡¡courtyards¡¡where¡¡dogs¡¡picked¡¡
up¡¡my¡¡trail¡¡and¡¡joyously¡¡followed£»¡¡anticipating¡¡some¡¡kind¡¡of¡¡amusement¡£¡¡
¡¡
¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡
367¡¡
¡¡
I¡¡AM¡¡ESTHER¡¡
¡¡
I¡¡was¡¡putting¡¡lentil¡¡soup¡¡on¡¡the¡¡boil¡¡for¡¡our¡¡evening¡¡meal¡¡when¡¡Nesim¡¡said£»¡¡
¡°There¡¯s¡¡a¡¡visitor¡¡at¡¡the¡¡door¡£¡±¡¡I¡¡replied£»¡¡¡°Make¡¡sure¡¡the¡¡soup¡¡doesn¡¯t¡¡burn£»¡±¡¡
handing¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡spoon¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡giving¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡couple¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡turns¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡pot¡¡¡¡while¡¡
holding¡¡his¡¡aged¡¡hand¡£¡¡If¡¡you¡¡don¡¯t¡¡show¡¡them£»¡¡they¡¯ll¡¡stand¡¡there¡¡for¡¡hours¡¡
idly¡¡holding¡¡the¡¡spoon¡¡in¡¡the¡¡pot¡£¡¡
When¡¡I¡¡saw¡¡Black¡¡at¡¡the¡¡door¡¡I¡¡felt¡¡nothing¡¡but¡¡pity¡¡for¡¡him¡£¡¡There¡¡was¡¡such¡¡
an¡¡expression¡¡on¡¡his¡¡face¡¡I¡¡was¡¡afraid¡¡to¡¡ask¡¡what¡¡had¡¡happened¡£¡¡
¡°Don¡¯t¡¡¡¡bother¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡e¡¡¡¡inside£»¡±¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡said£»¡¡¡¡¡°I¡¯ll¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡soon¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡change¡¡
clothes¡£¡±¡¡
I¡¡¡¡donned¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡pink¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡yellow¡¡¡¡garments¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡wear¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡I¡¯m¡¡¡¡invited¡¡¡¡to¡¡
Ramadan¡¡festivities£»¡¡wealthy¡¡banquets¡¡and¡¡lengthy¡¡weddings£»¡¡and¡¡took¡¡up¡¡my¡¡
holiday¡¡satchel¡£¡¡¡°I¡¯ll¡¡have¡¡my¡¡soup¡¡when¡¡I¡¡get¡¡back£»¡±¡¡I¡¡said¡¡to¡¡poor¡¡Nesim¡£¡¡
Black¡¡and¡¡I¡¡had¡¡crossed¡¡one¡¡street¡¡in¡¡my¡¡little¡¡Jewish¡¡neighborhood¡¡whose¡¡
chimneys¡¡labor¡¡to¡¡expel¡¡their¡¡smoke£»¡¡the¡¡way¡¡our¡¡kettles¡¡force¡¡out¡¡their¡¡steam£»¡¡
and¡¡I¡¡said£º¡¡
¡°Shekure¡¯s¡¡former¡¡husband¡¡is¡¡back¡£¡±¡¡
Black¡¡fell¡¡silent¡¡and¡¡stayed¡¡that¡¡way¡¡until¡¡we¡¡left¡¡the¡¡neighborhood¡£¡¡His¡¡face¡¡
was¡¡ashen£»¡¡the¡¡color¡¡of¡¡the¡¡waning¡¡day¡£¡¡
¡°Where¡¡are¡¡they£¿¡±¡¡he¡¡asked¡¡sometime¡¡later¡£¡¡
From¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡question¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡guessed¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡Shekure¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡children¡¡¡¡weren¡¯t¡¡¡¡at¡¡
home¡£¡¡¡¡¡°They¡¯re¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡house£»¡±¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¡Because¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡meant¡¡¡¡Shekure¡¯s¡¡¡¡previous¡¡
home£»¡¡and¡¡knew¡¡at¡¡once¡¡that¡¡this¡¡would¡¡singe¡¡Black¡¯s¡¡heart£»¡¡I¡¡opened¡¡a¡¡door¡¡
of¡¡¡¡hope¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡tacking¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡word¡¡¡¡¡°probably¡±¡¡¡¡onto¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡end¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡my¡¡
statement¡£¡¡
¡°Have¡¡you¡¡seen¡¡her¡¡newly¡¡returned¡¡husband£¿¡±¡¡he¡¡asked¡¡me£»¡¡looking¡¡deep¡¡
into¡¡my¡¡eyes¡£¡¡
¡°I¡¡haven¡¯t¡¡seen¡¡him£»¡¡neither¡¡did¡¡I¡¡see¡¡Shekure¡¯s¡¡flight¡¡from¡¡the¡¡house¡£¡±¡¡
¡°How¡¡did¡¡you¡¡know¡¡they¡¯d¡¡left£¿¡±¡¡
¡°From¡¡your¡¡face¡£¡±¡¡
¡°Tell¡¡me¡¡everything£»¡±¡¡he¡¡said¡¡decisively¡£¡¡
Black¡¡was¡¡so¡¡troubled¡¡he¡¡didn¡¯t¡¡understand¡¡that¡¡Esther¡ªher¡¡eye¡¡eternally¡¡
at¡¡the¡¡window£»¡¡her¡¡ear¡¡eternally¡¡to¡¡the¡¡ground¡ªcould¡¡never¡¡¡°tell¡¡everything¡±¡¡
368¡¡
¡¡
if¡¡she¡¡wanted¡¡to¡¡continue¡¡to¡¡be¡¡the¡¡Esther¡¡who¡¡found¡¡husbands¡¡for¡¡so¡¡many¡¡
dreamy¡¡maidens¡¡and¡¡knocked¡¡on¡¡the¡¡do
¿ì½Ý²Ù×÷: °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ °´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿!
ÎÂÜ°Ìáʾ£º ο´Ð¡ËµµÄͬʱ·¢±íÆÀÂÛ£¬Ëµ³ö×Ô¼ºµÄ¿´·¨ºÍÆäËüС»ï°éÃÇ·ÖÏíÒ²²»´íŶ£¡·¢±íÊéÆÀ»¹¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ»ý·ÖºÍ¾Ñé½±Àø£¬ÈÏÕæдԴ´ÊéÆÀ ±»²ÉÄÉΪ¾«ÆÀ¿ÉÒÔ»ñµÃ´óÁ¿½ð±Ò¡¢»ý·ÖºÍ¾Ñé½±ÀøŶ£¡