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“book of costumes” and engaged me in a bout of vicious bargaining。 Having

agreed that morning upon a lesser…quality book of costumes for a price of

twenty silver pieces; I proceeded to illustrate a dozen Istanbulites in a single

sitting around the time of the evening prayer; paying particular attention to

the detail of their outfits。 I drew a Sheikhulislam; a palace porter; a preacher; a

Janissary; a dervish; a cavalryman; a judge; a liver seller; an executioner—

executioners in the act of torture sold quite well—a beggar; a woman bound

for the hamam; and an opium addict。 I’d done so many of these books just to

earn a few extra silver pieces that I began to invent games for myself to fight

off boredom while I drew; for example; I forced myself to draw the judge

without lifting my pen off the page or to draw the beggar with my eyes closed。

All brigands; poets and men of constant sorrow know that when the

evening prayer is called the jinns and demons within them will grow agitated

and rebellious; urging in unision: “Out! Outside!” This restless inner voice

demands; “Seek the pany of others; seek blackness; misery and disgrace。”

I’ve spent my time appeasing these jinns and demons。 I’ve painted pictures;

which many regard as miracles that have issued from my hands; with the he