Dinarzade did not call so early this night as she did the last, yet
she called upon the sultaness before day: If you be not asleep,
sister, pray continue the story of the third calender. Scheherazade
resumed it thus, personating the calender in his discourse to
Zobeide.
Madam, when the gentleman had ended this discourse, I wrapt myself
in the sheep’s skin, held fast the knife which was given me; and
after those young gentlemen had been at the trouble to sew the skin
about me, they retired into the hall, and left me on the spot. The
roc they spoke of was not long coming; he fell upon me, took me in
his talons like a sheep, and carried me up to the top of the
mountain.
When I found myself upon the ground, I made use of the knife, cut
the skin, and throwing it off, the roc at the sight of me flew away.
This roc is a white bird, of a monstrous size; his strength is such,
that he can lift up elephants from the plains, and carry them to the
tops of mountains, where he feeds upon them.
Being impatient till I reached the castle, I lost no time; but made
so much haste that I got thither in half a day’s journey, and I
must say that I found it surpassed the description they had given me
of it.
The gate being open, I entered into a court that was square, and so
large that there were round it ninety-nine gates of wood of sanders
and aloes, with one of gold, without reckoning those of several
magnificent stair-cases, that led to apartments above, besides many
more, which I could not see. The hundred doors which I spoke of
opened into gardens or store-houses full of riches, or into places
which contained things wonderful to be seen.
I saw a door standing open just before me, through which I entered
into a large hall, where I found forty young ladies of such perfect
beauty that imagination could not surpass it; they were all most
sumptuously apparelled; and as soon as they saw me rose up, and
without expecting my compliments, said to me, with demonstrations of
joy, noble sir, you are very welcome. And one spoke to me in the
name of the rest, thus: We have been in expectation a long while of
such a gentleman as you: your mien assures us, that you are master
of all the good qualities we can wish for; and we hope you will not
find our company disagreeable or unworthy of your’s.
They forced me, notwithstanding all the opposition I could make, to
sit down on a seat that was higher than their own, and though I
signified that I was uneasy; That is your place, said they; you are
at present our lord, master, and judge, and we are your slaves,
ready to obey your commands.
Nothing in the world, madam, did so much astonish me as the passion
and eagerness of those fair ladies to do me all possible service.
One brought hot water to wash my feet; a second poured sweet scented
water on my hands; others brought me all sorts of necessaries, and
change of apparel; others brought in a magnificent collation; and
the rest came with glasses in their hands to fill me delicious
wines, all in good order, and in the most charming manner possible.
I ate and drank; after which the ladies placed themselves about me,
and desired an account of my travels. I gave them a full relation of
my adventures, which lasted till night came on.
Scheherazade making a stop here, her sister asked her the reason. Do
you not see it is day? said the sultaness; wherefore did you not
call me sooner?
The sultan, expecting some pleasant adventures from the arrival of
the third calender at the palace of the forty ladies, would not
deprive himself of the pleasure of hearing them; and therefore again
put off the death of the sultaness.