Sir, your majesty may easily imagine that poor Hindbad was not a
little surprised at this compliment; for, considering what he had
said, he was afraid Sindbad had sent for him to punish him;
therefore he would have excused himself, alleging that he could not
leave his burden in the middle of the street. But Sindbad’s
servants assured him they would look to it, and pressed the porter
so, that he was obliged to yield.
The servants brought him into a great hall, where abundance of
people sat round a table covered with all sorts of fine dishes. At
the upper end, there sat a grave, comely, venerable gentleman, with
a long white beard, and behind him stood a number of officers and
domestics, all ready to serve him; this grave gentleman was Sindbad.
The porter, whose fear was increased at the sight of so many people,
and of a banquet so sumptuous, saluted the company trembling.
Sindbad bid him draw near, and sitting him down at his right hand,
served him himself, and gave him excellent wine, of which there was
a good store upon the side board.
When dinner was over, Sindbad began his discourse to Hindbad: and
calling him brother, according to the manner of the Arabians when
they are familiar one with another, he asked him his name and
employment, --Signor, answered he, my name is Hindbad. --I am very
glad to see you, replied Sindbad, and I dare say the same for all
the company; but I would be glad to hear from your own mouth what it
was you said awhile ago in the street. For Sindbad had heard it
himself through the window, before he sat down at table, and that
occasioned his calling for him.
Hindbad, being surprised at the question, hung down his head, and
replied, Signor, I confess that my weariness put me out of humour,
and occasioned me to speak some indiscreet words, which I beg you to
pardon. --Oh! do not think I am so unjust, replied Sindbad, to
resent such a thing as that; I consider your condition, and instead
of upbraiding you with your complaints, I commiserate you: but I
must rectify your mistake concerning myself. You think, no doubt,
that I have acquired without labour and trouble the ease and
conveniency which I now enjoy: but do not mistake; I did not attain
to this happy condition without enduring more trouble of body and
mind, for several years, than can well be imagined. Yes, gentlemen,
added he, speaking to the whole company, I can assure you my
troubles were so extraordinary, that they were capable of
discouraging the most covetous man from undertaking such voyages as
I did, to acquire riches. Perhaps you have never heard a distinct
account of my wonderful adventures, and the dangers I met with in my
seven voyages; and since I have this opportunity, I am willing to
give you a faithful account of them, not doubting but it will be
acceptable.
And because Sindbad was to tell this story, particularly upon the
porter’s account, he ordered his burden to be carried to the place
appointed, and began thus:
The story of Sindbad, the Sailor.
His first Voyage.
My father left me a considerable estate, the best part of which I
spent in debauchery during my youth; but I perceived my error, and
reflected that riches were perishable, and quickly consumed by such
ill managers as myself. I farther considered, that by my irregular
way of living I wretchedly mispent my time, which is the most
valuable thing in the world. I remembered the saying of the great
Solomon, which I had frequently heard from my father: That death is
more tolerable than poverty. Struck with those reflections, I
collected the remains of my furniture, and sold all my patrimony by
public auction to the highest bidder. Then I entered into a contract
with some merchants, who traded by sea: I took the advice of such as
I thought most capable to give it me; and resolving to improve what
money I had, I went to Balsora, [5] and embarked with several
merchants on board a ship which we jointly fitted up.
We set sail, and steered our course towards the East Indies, through
the Persian gulf, which is formed by the coasts of Arabia Felix on
the right, and by those of Persia on the left, and, according to
common opinion, is seventy leagues at the broadest place. The
eastern sea, as well as that of the Indies, is very spacious; it is
bounded on one side by the coasts of Abyssinia, and is 4500 leagues
in length to the isles of Vakvaq. [6] At first I was troubled with
the sea-sickness, but speedily recovered my health, and was not
afterwards troubled with that disease.
In our voyage we touched at several islands, where we sold or
exchanged our goods. One day, whilst under sail, we were becalmed
near a little island, even almost with the surface of the water,
which resembled a green meadow. The captain ordered his sails to be
furled, and permitted such persons as had a mind to land upon the
island, amongst whom I was one. But while we were diverting
ourselves with eating and drinking, and recovering ourselves from
the fatigue of the sea, the island on a sudden trembled, and shook
us terribly.
Here Scheherazade stopped, because day appeared, but resumed her
discourse next morning as follows.