“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 help
of these evil spirits。 But for seven days now after dusk； since I murdered that
disgrace； I’m no longer able to control the jinns and demons within me。 They
rage with such violence that I tell myself they might calm down if I go out for
a while。
After saying s