The next morning, Dinarzade did not fail to awaken the sultaness at
the ordinary time, and said, Dear sister, if you are not asleep, I
would pray you, (until break of day, which is near at hand,) to go
on with that agreeable story you began. Upon which Scheherazade
addressed the sultan thus: Sir, with your leave, I am willing to
satisfy my sister’s curiosity; and at the same time, went on with
the story of the Three Calenders.
Zobeide would not take back the money from the porter, but said, My
friend, in consenting that you stay with us, I must forewarn you,
that it is not only on condition that you keep secret what we have
required you, but also that you observe exactly the rules of good
manners and civility. In the mean time the charming Amine put off
the apparel she went abroad with, put on her night-gown that she
might be more easy, and covered the table, which she furnished with
several sorts of meat, and upon a side-board she set bottles of wine
and cups of gold. Soon after the ladies took their places, and made
the porter sit down by them, who was overjoyed to see himself at
table with three such admirable beauties. After they had eaten a
little, Amine, who sat next the sideboard, took up a bottle and a
cup, filled out wine, and drank first herself, according to the
custom of the Arabians; then she filled the cup to her sisters, who
drank in course as they sat; and at last she filled it the fourth
time to the porter, who, as he received it, kissed Amine’s hand;
and before he drank, sung a song to this purpose: That as the wind
brings along with it the sweet scents of the perfumed places through
which it passes, so the wine he was going to drink, coming from her
fair hands, received a more exquisite taste than what it had of its
own nature. This song pleased the ladies so much, that each of them
sung another in their turn. In short, they were very merry all
dinner-time, which lasted a long while, and nothing was wanting that
could make it agreeable. The day being almost spent, Safie spoke in
the name of the three ladies, and said to the porter, Arise, and be
gone; it is time for you to depart. But the porter, not willing to
leave so good company, cried, Alas! ladies, whither do you command
me to go in the condition I am in? I am quite beside myself, by what
I have seen since I came hither, and having also drank above my
usual quantity, I shall never find the way home: allow me this night
to repose in any place where you please, for no less time is
necessary for me to recover myself; but go when I will, I shall
leave the best part of myself behind me.
Amine pleaded the second time for the porter, saying, Sisters, he is
in the right; I am pleased with the request, he having already
diverted us so well; and, if you will take my advice, or if you love
me as much as I think you do, let us keep him, to pass away the
remaining part of the night. Sister, answered Zobeide, we can refuse
you nothing; and then turning to the porter, said, We are willing
once more to grant your request, but upon this new condition, that
whatever we do in your presence relating to ourselves or any thing
else, take heed you do not once open your mouth to ask the reason of
it; for if you ask questions about that which does not belong to
you, you may chance to know that which will be no way pleasing to
you; beware, therefore, and do not be too curious to dive into the
motives of our actions.
Madam, replied the porter, I promise to observe this condition with
such exactness, that you shall have no cause to reproach me with
breaking it, and far less to punish my indiscretion: my tongue shall
be immoveable on this occasion, and my eye like a looking-glass,
which retains nothing of the object that is set before it. And to
show you, said Zobeide with a serious countenance, that what we
demand of you is not a new thing among us, rise up, and read what is
written over our gate on the inside.
The porter went thither, and read these words, written in large
characters of gold: “He who speaks of things that do not concern
him, shall hear of things that will not please him.” Returning
again to the three sisters, Ladies, said he, I give you my oath,
that you shall never hear me speak any thing which does not concern
me, or wherein you may have any concern.
This agreement being made, Amine brought in supper, and after the
room was set round with tapers, that were mixed with aloes and
ambergris, which gave a most agreeable scent, as well as a delicate
light, she sat down at table with her sisters and the porter. They
began again to eat and drink, sing, and repeat verses. The ladies
took pleasure to fuddle the porter, under pretext of causing him to
drink their healths, and abundance of witty sentences passed on both
sides. In short, as they were all in the best humour in the world,
they heard a knocking at the gate.
Scheherazade was obliged to stop here, because she observed
day-light appearing.
The sultan, not doubting the sequel of this history deserved to be
heard, put it off till the day following, and so arose.