Dinarzade did not fail about the latter end of the next night to
address the sultaness thus: If you be not asleep, sister, pray
relate to us the remaining part of the wonderful story of the third
calender. --Most willingly, said Scheherazade. The prince continued
it thus: I was scarce dressed next morning, when the other
thirty-nine ladies came into my chamber, all in different dresses
from those they had on the day before: they bade me good-morrow, and
inquired after my health; after which they carried me to a bath,
where they washed me themselves, and whether I would or no, served
me with every thing I stood in need of; and when I came out of the
bath, they made me put on another suit much richer than the former.
We passed the whole day almost constantly at table; and when it was
bed-time, they prayed me again to make choice of one of them to keep
me company. In short, madam, not to weary you with repetitions, I
must tell you that I continued a whole year among those forty
ladies, and received them into my bed one after another: and during
all the time of this voluptuous life, we met not with the least kind
of trouble. When the year was expired, I was strangely surprised
that these forty ladies, instead of appearing with their usual
cheerfulness to ask how I did, entered one morning into my chamber
all in tears. They embraced me with great tenderness one after
another, saying, Adieu, dear prince, adieu! for we must leave you.
Their tears affected me; I prayed them to tell me the reason of
their grief, and of the separation they spoke of. For God’s sake,
fair ladies, let me know, said I, if it be in my power to comfort
you, or if my assistance can be any way useful to you. Instead of
returning a direct answer, Would to God, said they, we had never
seen or known you! Several gentlemen have honoured us with their
company before you; but never one of them had that comeliness, that
sweetness, that pleasantness of humour, and that merit which you
possess; we know not how to live without you. After they spoke these
words, they began to weep bitterly. My dear ladies, said I, be so
kind as not to keep me in suspense any longer: tell me the cause of
your sorrow. --Alas, said they, what but the necessity of parting
from you could be capable of grieving us? It may so happen that we
shall never see you again; but if you be so minded, and possess
sufficient self-command, it is not impossible for us to meet again.
--Ladies, said I, I understand not your meaning; pray explain
yourselves more clearly.
Oh then, said one of them, to satisfy you, we must acquaint you that
we are all princesses, daughters of kings: we live here together in
such a manner as you have seen; but at the end of every year we are
obliged to be absent forty days upon indispensable duties, which we
are not permitted to reveal; and afterwards we return again to this
castle. Yesterday was the last of the year, and we must leave you
this day, which is the cause of our grief. Before we depart we will
leave you the keys of every thing, especially those belonging to the
hundred doors, where you will find enough to satisfy your curiosity,
and to sweeten your solitude during our absence: but for your own
welfare, and our particular concern in you, we recommend unto you to
forbear opening the golden door: for if you do we shall never see
you again: and the fear of this augments our grief. We hope,
nevertheless, that you will follow the advice we give you, as you
tender your own quiet, and the happiness of your life; therefore
take heed that you do not give way to indiscreet curiosity, for you
will do yourself a considerable prejudice. We conjure you not to
commit this fault, but to let us have the satisfaction of finding
you here again after forty days. We would willingly carry the key of
the golden door along with us; but that it would be an affront to a
prince like you to question your discretion and modesty.
--Scheherazade wished to go on; but she saw day appear, and stopped.
The sultan being curious to know what the third calender would do
when the forty ladies were gone, and had left him alone in the
castle, deferred the hearing of it till next day.