The next night being almost at an end, Dinarzade called to the
sultaness; for heaven’s sake, sister, if you are awake, let me
pray you to continue the story of the three fair ladies: I am very
impatient till I know who it was that knocked at their gate. You
shall hear it immediately, said she; I am sure that what I am now
going to relate is worthy of my lord the sultan’s attention.
When the ladies, said she, heard the knocking, they all three got up
to open the gate; but Safie, to whom this office particularly
belonged, was the nimblest; which her other two sisters perceiving,
sat down till she came back, to acquaint them who it could be that
had any business with them so late. Safie returning, said, Sisters,
we have here a very fine opportunity to pass a good part of the
night with much satisfaction, and if you be of the same mind with
me, we shall not let it slip. There are three calenders at our gate,
at least they appear to be such by their habit; but that which you
will most admire is, they are all three blind of the right eye, and
have their heads, beards, and eye-brows shaved, and, as they say,
are but just come to Bagdad, where they never were before; and it
being night, and not knowing where to find any lodging, they
happened by chance to knock at this gate, and pray us, for the love
of heaven, to have compassion on them, and receive them into the
house; they care not what place we put them in, provided they may be
under shelter; they would be satisfied with a stable; they are young
and handsome enough, and seem also to be men of good sense; but I
cannot without laughing think of their pleasant and uniform figure.
Here Safie fell a laughing so heartily, that it put the two sisters
and the porter into the same mood. My dear sisters, said she, are
you content that they come in? it is impossible but with such
persons as I have already described them to be, we shall finish the
day better than we began it; they will afford us diversion enough,
and put us to no charge, because they desire shelter only for this
night, and resolve to leave us as soon as day appears.
Zobeide and Amine made some difficulty to grant Safie’s request,
for reasons they well knew; but she having so great a desire to
obtain this favour, they could not refuse her. Go then, said
Zobeide, and bring them in; but do not forget to acquaint them that
they must not speak of any thing which does not concern them, and
cause them to read what is written over the gate. Safie ran out with
a great deal of joy, and in a little time after returned with the
three calenders in her company.
At their entrance they made a profound bow to the ladies, who rose
up to receive them, told them most obligingly that they were very
welcome, that they were glad to have met with an opportunity to
oblige them, and to contribute towards relieving them from the
fatigue of their journey, and at last invited them to sit down with
them.
The magnificence of the place, and the civility they received in it,
made the calenders conceive a great idea of these handsome ladies;
but, before they sat down, having by chance cast their eyes upon the
porter, whom they saw clad almost like one of those other calenders
with whom they are in controversy about several points of
discipline, because they never shave their beards nor eyebrows; one
of them said, Look here, I believe we have got one of our revolted
Arabian brethren.
The porter being half asleep, and having his head warm with wine,
was affronted at these words, and with a fierce look, without
stirring from his place, answered, Sit you down, and do not meddle
with what does not concern you. Have you not read the inscription
over the gate? Do not pretend to make people live after your
fashion, but follow ours.
Honest man, said the calender, do not put yourself in a passion; we
should be very sorry to give you the least occasion; on the
contrary, we are ready to receive your commands. Upon which, to put
an end to the dispute, the ladies interposed, and pacified them.
When the calenders sat down at table, the ladies served them with
meat; and Safie, being most pleased with them, did not let them want
for drink.
Scheherazade stopped her discourse, because she saw day appear, and
the sultan got up to follow his affairs, and promised to hear the
rest of the story next day; for he had a great desire to know why
those three calenders were blind, and all three of the same eye.