Dinarzade was so extremely pleased with the beginning of this story
of Zobeide, that she did not fail to call the sultaness before day.
If you be not asleep, sister, pray let us know what Zobeide saw more
in this strange palace. Scheherazade answered, The lady continued
the story to the caliph in this manner:--
Sir, said she, I went out of the chamber where the petrified queen
was, and passed through several other apartments and closets richly
furnished, and at last came into a vast large room, where was a
throne of massy gold, raised several steps above the floor, and
enriched with large inchased emeralds, and a bed upon the throne of
rich stuff, embroidered with pearls. What surprised me more than all
the rest was a sparkling light which came from above the bed. Being
curious to know from whence it came. I mounted the steps, and,
lifting up my head, I saw a diamond as big as the egg of an ostrich,
lying upon a low stool; it was so pure, that I could not find the
least blemish in it, and it sparkled so bright, that I could not
endure the lustre of it when I saw it by day.
On each side of the bed’s head there stood a lighted flambeau, but
for what use I could not comprehend; however, it made me imagine
that there was some living creature in this place, for I could not
believe that these torches continued thus burning of themselves.
Several other rarities detained my curiosity in this room, which was
inestimable, were it only for the diamond I mentioned.
The doors being all open, or but half shut, I surveyed some other
apartments, that were as fine as those I had already seen. I looked
into the offices and store-rooms, which were full of infinite
riches, and I was so much taken with the sight of all the wonderful
things, that I forgot myself, and did not think on my ship or my
sisters; my whole design was to satisfy my curiosity: mean time
night came on, which put me in mind that it was time to retire. I
was for returning the same way I came in, but I could not find it; I
lost myself among the apartments; and finding I was come back again
to that large room where the throne, the couch, the large diamond,
and the torches stood, I resolved to take my night’s lodging
there, and to depart the next morning betimes, to get aboard my
ship. I laid myself down upon the couch, not without some dread to
be alone in a desolate place; and this fear hindered my sleep.
About midnight I heard a voice like that of a man reading the Koran,
after the same manner, and in the same tone which we read in our
mosque. Being extremely glad to hear it, I got up immediately, and
taking a torch in my hand to light me, I passed from one chamber to
another, on that side where the voice came from: I came to the
closet door, where I stood still, nowise doubting that it came from
thence. I set down my torch upon the ground, and looking through a
window, I found it to be an oratory. In short, it had, as we have in
our mosques, a niche that shows where we must turn to say our
prayers; there were also lamps hung up, and the two candlesticks
with large tapers of white wax burning.
I saw a little carpet laid down, like those we have to kneel upon
when we say our prayers, and a comely young man sat upon this
carpet, reading with great devotion the Koran, which lay before him
upon a desk. At the sight of this I was transported with admiration.
I wondered how it came to pass that he should be the only living
creature in a town where all the people were turned into stones, and
I did not doubt but there was something in it very extraordinary.
The door being only half shut, I opened it and went in, and standing
upright before the niche, I said this prayer aloud; “Praise be to
God, who has favoured us with a happy voyage, and may he be
graciously pleased to protect us in the same manner, until we arrive
again in our own country. Hear me, O Lord, and grant my request.”
The young man cast his eyes upon me, and said, My good lady, pray
let me know who you are, and what has brought you to this desolate
city? And in return I will tell you who I am, what happened to me,
why the inhabitants of this city are reduced to that state you see
them in, and why I alone am safe and sound in the midst of such a
terrible disaster.
I told him in few words from whence I came, what made me undertake
the voyage, and how I safely arrived at the port after twenty
days’ sailing; and when I had done, I prayed him to perform his
promise, and told him how much I was struck by the frightful
desolation which I had seen in all places as I came along.
My dear lady, said the young man, have patience for a moment. At
these words he shut the Koran, put it into a rich case, and laid it
in the niche. I took that opportunity to observe him, and perceived
so much good nature and beauty in him, that I felt such strange
emotions in myself as I had never done before. He made me sit down
by him; and before he began his discourse, I could not forbear
saying to him, with an air that discovered the sentiments I was
inspired with, Amiable sir, dear object of my soul, I can scarce
have patience to wait for an account of all those wonderful things
that I have seen since the first time I came into your city; and my
curiosity cannot be satisfied too soon; therefore, pray sir, let me
know by what miracle you alone are left alive among so many persons
that have died in so strange a manner.
Scheherazade broke off here, and said to Schahriar, Sir, perhaps
your majesty does not perceive it is day; should I continue my
discourse any longer, I should trespass on your patience. The sultan
got up, resolving next night to hear the remainder of this wonderful
story.