“Upon this prediction of the astrologers, my father tried every

means to deceive my horoscope, and preserve my life. For a long time

past he has taken the precaution to have this habitation built, in

order to conceal me for the fifty days after he learnt that the

statue had been overthrown. It was on this account, that as soon as

he knew what had happened ten days since, he came here for the

purpose of concealing me during the forty days that remain; and he

has promised, at the expiration of that time, to come and take me

back. As for myself,” he added, “I have the greatest hopes, for

I do not believe that prince Agib will come and look for me under

ground in the midst of a desert island. This, my lord, is all I had

to inform you of.”

While the son of the jeweller was relating his history to me, I

inwardly laughed at those astrologers, who had predicted that I

should take away his life; and I felt myself so very unlikely to

verify their prediction, that he had scarcely finished speaking

before I exclaimed with transport, “Have confidence, my dear sir,

in the goodness of God, and fear nothing. Esteem it only as a debt

you had to pay, and that from this hour you are free from it. I am

delighted at finding myself so fortunate as to be here, after having

been shipwrecked, in order to guard you against those who would

attempt your life. I will not quit you for a moment during the forty

days which the vain and absurd conjectures of the astrologers have

made you apprehensive of. During this time, I will render you every

service in my power, and afterwards I will take advantage, with your

and your father’s permission, of embarking in your vessel, in

order to return to the continent; and when I shall have got back to

my kingdom, I shall never forget the obligation I am under to you,

and will endeavour to prove my gratitude by every means in my

power.”

I encouraged him by this discourse, and thus gained his confidence.

I took care, from the fear of alarming him, not to inform him that I

was the very person whom he dreaded; nor give him the least

suspicion of it. We conversed about various things till night; and I

easily discovered that the young man possessed a sensible and

well-informed mind.--We eat together out of his store of

provisions, which were so abundant that they would have lasted more

than the forty days, had there been other guests beside myself. We

continued our conversation some time after supper, and then retired

to rest.

When he got up the next morning, I presented him with a bason and

some water. He washed himself while I prepared the dinner, which I

served up at a proper time. After our repast, I invented a sort of

game to amuse us, not only during that day, but for the following. I

prepared the supper in the same way I had done the dinner; we then

supped and retired to rest, the same as the preceding day.

We had sufficient time to contract a friendship for each other. I

perceived that he had an inclination for me, and on my side the

regard was so strong, that I often said to myself, “the

astrologers who have predicted to the father, that his son should be

slain by my hands were impostors, for it was impossible I could

commit so horrid a crime.” In short, we passed thirty-nine days in

the pleasantest manner possible in this subterraneous habitation.

At length the fortieth arrived. The youth, when he was getting up,

said to me in a transport of joy which he could not restrain,

“Behold me now, prince, on the fortieth day, and thank God and

your good society, I am not dead. My father will not fail very soon

to acknowledge his obligation, and furnish you with every means and

opportunity in his power which may be necessary for you to return to

your kingdom. But while we are waiting,” added he, “I beg of you

to have the goodness to warm some water that I may wash my whole

body in the portable bath. I wish to cleanse myself and change my

dress, in order to receive my father with the greater propriety.”

I put the water on the fire, and when it was just warm I filled the

portable bath. The young man got in: I both washed and rubbed him

myself. He then got out, and went into the bed I had prepared for

him, and I threw the cover over him. After he had reposed himself

and slept for some time, he said to me, “Oblige me, my prince, and

bring me a melon and some sugar. I want to eat something to refresh

me.”

I chose one of the melons which remained, and put it on a plate, and

as I could not find a knife to cut it, I asked the youth if he knew

where there was one. “There is one,” he replied, “upon the

cornice over my head.” I looked up and perceived one there; but I

strained myself so much in endeavouring to get it, that at the very

moment I had it in my hand, my foot by some means got so entangled

in the covering of the bed, that I unfortunately fell down on the

young man and pierced him to the heart with the knife. He expired

the very same instant.

At this sight I cried most bitterly; I beat my head and breast. I

tore my habit, and threw myself on the ground in grief and despair,

“Alas!” I cried, “a few hours only remained for him to be out

of the danger against which he sought an asylum; and at the very

moment I thought the danger past, I am become the assassin, and have

caused the prediction to come to pass. But I ask thy pardon, O

Lord,” I added, raising my head and hands towards heaven, “and

if I am guilty of his death, I desire to live no longer.”

After this misfortune death would have been very acceptable to me,

and I should have met it without dread. But we are neither afflicted

with evil nor blessed with good fortune always at the moment we may

desire it.

In the mean time reflecting that neither my tears nor sorrow could

revive the youth, and that as the forty days were now concluding, I

should be surprised by the father, I went out of this subterraneous

building, and ascended to the top of the stairs. I replaced the

large stone over the entrance, and covered it with the earth. I had

scarcely finished, when looking towards the main land, I perceived

the vessel which was coming for the young man. Meditating what plan

I should pursue, I said to myself, “If I let them see me, it is

probable the old man will seize me and order his slaves to murder

me, when he shall have discovered his son in the state in which I

left him. Whatever I could allege in my own justification would

never persuade him of my innocence. It is surely better, then, to

withdraw myself from his sight, while I have the power, than expose

myself to his resentment.”

Near the subterraneous cavern there was a large tree, the thick

foliage of which seemed to me well adapted for concealment. I

immediately got up into it, and had no sooner placed myself so as

not to be seen, than I observed the vessel come to land in the same

place it had before done. The old man and the slaves instantly came

on shore, and approached the subterraneous dwelling in a manner that

showed they had some hopes. But when they saw that the ground had

been lately disturbed, they changed colour, especially the old man.

They then lifted up the stone and descended the stairs. They called

the young man by his name, but no answer was returned. Their fears

redoubled. They searched about, and at last found him stretched on

his couch with the knife through his heart, for I had not had the

courage to draw it out. On seeing this they uttered such lamentable

cries that my tears flowed afresh. The old man fainted, and the

slaves brought him out in their arms, that he might feel the air,

and for this purpose they placed him at the foot of the very tree in

which I was. Notwithstanding all their cares, this unfortunate

father remained so long in this state, that they more than once

despaired of his life.

He at length recovered from this long fainting fit. The slaves then

went down and brought up the body of his son, clothed in his finest

garments, and as soon as the grave which they made was ready, they

put the body in. The old man, supported by two slaves, with his face

bathed in tears, threw in the first piece of earth, after which the

slaves filled up the grave. This being done, the furniture and

remainder of the provisions were put on board the vessel. The old

man, overcome with sorrow, was unable to support himself, and was

therefore carried to the vessel in a sort of litter by the slaves,

and they immediately put to sea. They soon got to a considerable

distance from the island, and I lost sight of them.

I now remained alone in the island, and passed the following night

in the subterraneous dwelling, which had not been again shut up; and

the next day I took a survey of the whole island; resting in those

places most adapted to the purpose whenever I felt myself weary. I

passed a whole month in this unpleasant manner; at the end of which

time I perceived the sea considerably diminish, the island appeared

to become sensibly larger, and the main land approached nearer. In

truth, the water decreased so much, that there was now only a small

channel between me and the continent, and I passed over without

being deeper than the middle of my leg. I then walked so far on the

flat sand, that I was greatly fatigued. I at last reached firmer

ground, and was already at a considerable distance from the sea,

when I saw before me something that appeared like a large fire. At

this I was much rejoiced; “For here,” said I to myself, “I

shall certainly find some persons, as a fire cannot light itself.”

But as I went nearer, my mistake began to clear up, and I soon found

out that what I had taken for a fire was a sort of castle of red

copper, from which the rays of the sun were reflected in such a

manner as to make it appear in flames.

I stopped near this castle and sat down, as well to consider the

beauty of the building, as in some degree to recover from my

fatigue. I had not yet bestowed all the attention upon this

magnificent house which it deserved, when I perceived ten well-made

young men come out for the purpose, as it appeared, of walking; but

what seemed to me more surprising was, that they were all blind of

the right eye; an old man of rather a large stature, whose

appearance was very venerable, accompanied them.

I was very much astonished at meeting so many people at the same

time who were not only blind of one eye, but had also lost the same

eye. While I was endeavouring to discover in my own mind for what

purpose, or by what circumstance they were thus collected together,

they accosted me; and showed signs of great joy at seeing me. After

the first compliments had passed, they inquired of me what brought

me there: I told them that my history was rather long; but if they

would take the trouble to sit down, I would afford them the

satisfaction they wished. They seated themselves, and I related to

them every thing that had happened to me, from the moment I had left

my own kingdom till that instant. This narration greatly excited

their surprise. When I had finished my story, they entreated me to

come with them into the castle. I accepted their offer, and passing

through a long suit of halls, antichambers, saloons, and cabinets,

all very well furnished, we came at length to a large and

magnificent apartment, where there were ten small blue sofas placed

in a circle, but unconnected, which served both to sit on and repose

during the day, and also to sleep upon in the night. In the midst of

this circle there was another sofa, less raised, but of the same

colour, upon which the old man, whom I have spoken of, sat, while

the young ones seated themselves upon the other ten. As each sofa

held only one person, one of the young men said to me, “sit down,

my friend, upon the carpet in the middle of this place; and do not

endeavour to inform yourself of any thing that regards us, nor the

reason why we are all blind of the right eye; be satisfied with what

you see, and do not carry your curiosity any farther. The old man

did not remain long seated: he got up and went out, but very soon

returned, bringing with him a supper for the ten young men; to each

of whom he distributed a certain portion. He gave me mine in the

same way, which, like the rest, I eat alone. As soon as it was

finished, the old man presented each of us with a cup of wine.

My history appeared to them so extraordinary, that they made me

repeat it, when supper was over. This afterwards led to a

conversation, which lasted great part of the night. One of the young

men now observing that it was so late, said to the old one, “You

see that it is time to retire to rest, and yet you do not bring us

what is necessary for us to discharge our duty.” At this the old

man got up, and went into a cabinet, from whence he brought upon his

head ten basons, one after the other all covered with blue stuff; he

placed one of them with a torch before each of the young men. They

uncovered their basons, in which there were some ashes, some

charcoal in powder, and some lamp black. They mixed all these

together, and began to rub them over their faces, and smear their

countenances until their appearance was very frightful. After they

had blacked themselves over in this manner, they began to weep, to

make great lamentations, and to beat their head and breast, calling

out incessantly all the time, “Behold the consequences of our

idleness and debaucheries.”

They passed almost the whole night in this strange occupation; at

last they gave over, when the old man brought them some water, in

which they washed their face and hands. They then took off their

dresses, which were much torn, and put on others, so that they did

not appear to have been engaged in those extraordinary occupations

to which I had been a witness. Judge what was my fear during all

this time. I was tempted a thousand times to break the silence which

they had imposed upon me, for the purpose of asking them questions:

nor could I, during the remainder of the night, get any rest.

The following morning, as soon as we were up, we went out to take

the air, and I then said unto them, “I must inform you, gentlemen,

that I renounce the law you imposed upon me last night, as I can no

longer observe it. You are wise men, and you have given me

sufficient reason to believe that you possess an enlarged

understanding; yet at the same time I have seen you do things which

none but madmen would be guilty of. Whatever misfortune may happen

to me in consequence, I cannot refrain from inquiring for what

reason you daubed your faces with ashes, charcoal, and black paint,

and how you have all lost an eye. Something very singular must be

the cause of this; I entreat you, therefore, to satisfy my

curiosity.” Notwithstanding such pressing entreaties, they only

answered that the inquiries I made did not relate to me, that I had

no interest in their actions, and that I might remain in peace. We

passed the day in conversing upon different subjects, and, when

night approached, we supped separately, as before, and the old man

again brought the blue basons, with the contents of which the others

anointed themselves; they then wept, beat themselves, and exclaimed,

“Behold the consequence of our idleness and our debaucheries.”

The next day and following night they did the same thing.

I could at last no longer resist my curiosity; and I very seriously

entreated them to satisfy me, or inform me by what road I could

return to my kingdom; for I told them it was impossible to remain

any longer with them and be every night a witness to such an

extraordinary sight, if I was not permitted to know the motives that

produced it. One of the young men thus answered me for the rest;

“Do not be astonished at what we do in your presence: if we have

not hitherto yielded to your entreaties, it has been entirely out of

friendship for you; and to spare you from the regret of being

reduced to the same state in which you see us. If you wish to

experience our unfortunate fate you have only to speak, and we will

give you the satisfaction you require.” I told them, I was

determined to know it at all events. “Once more,” replied the

same young man, “we advise you to restrain your curiosity; for it

will cost you the sight of your right eye.”--“It is of no

consequence,” I answered, “and I declare to you, that if this

misfortune does happen, I shall not consider you as the cause of it,

but shall lay the blame entirely on myself.” Again he represented

to me, that when I should have lost my eye, I must not expect to

remain with them, even if I had thought of it; as their number was

complete, and could not be increased. I told them that it would be a

satisfaction to me not to separate myself from such agreeable men as

they appeared to be; but still if it were necessary I would submit

to it: since whatever might be the consequence I wished them to

grant me the satisfaction I required.

The ten young men observing that I was not to be shaken in my

resolution, took a sheep and killed it: after they had taken off the

skin, they gave me the knife they had made use of, and said, “Take

this knife, it will serve you for an occasion of which we will soon

inform you: we are going to sew you up in this skin, in which it is

necessary you should be entirely concealed. We shall then leave you

in this place and retire. Soon afterwards a bird of a most enormous

size, which they call a roc, will appear in the air, and taking you

for a sheep, will plunge down upon you and lift you up to the

clouds: but do not let this alarm you. The bird will soon return

with his prey towards the earth, and will lay you down on the top of

a mountain. As soon as you shall feel yourself upon the ground, rip

open the skin with the knife, and discover yourself. On seeing you,

the roc will be alarmed and fly away, leaving you at liberty. Do not

stop there, but go on until you arrive at a castle of a most

prodigious magnitude, entirely covered with plates of gold, set with

large emeralds and other precious stones. Go to the gate, which is

always open, and enter. All of us who are here have been in this

castle: but we will tell you nothing of what we saw nor what

happened to us, as you will learn every thing yourself. The only

thing we can inform you of is, that it has cost each of us a right

eye, and the penance of which you were witness is what we are

obliged to undergo in consequence of our having been there. The

particular history of each of us is full of such wonderful

adventures they would make a large book--but we cannot now tell you

more.”

As soon as the young man had finished this speech I wrapped myself

up in the sheep-skin, and took the knife which they had given me.

After they had taken the trouble to sew me up in it, they left me in

that place, and retired into their apartment. It was not long before

the roc which they had mentioned made its appearance, plunged down

upon me, took me up in its talons as if I were a sheep, and

transported me to the summit of a mountain. When I perceived that I

was upon the ground, I did not fail to make use of the knife. I

ripped open the skin, threw it off, and appeared before the roc, who

flew away the instant it saw me. This roc is a white bird of an

enormous size; its strength is such, that it will lift up elephants

from the ground, and carry them to the tops of mountains, where it

devours them.

My impatience to arrive at the castle was such, that I lost no time;

indeed I made so much haste that I reached it in less than half a

day; and I may add, that I found it much more beautiful than it had

been described. The gate was open, and I entered into a square court

of such vast extent that in it were ninety-nine doors, made of

sandal wood and aloes, and one of gold: without reckoning those of

many magnificent stair cases, which led to the upper apartments; and

some others which I did not see. The hundred doors I have mentioned,

formed the entrances either into the gardens or magazines filled

with riches, or into some other places which contained things most

surprising to behold.

Opposite to me I saw an open door, through which I entered into a

large saloon, where forty young females were sitting, whose beauty

was so perfect, that it was impossible for the imagination to form

to itself any thing beyond it. They were all very magnificently

dressed; and as soon as they perceived me, they got up, and, without

waiting for my paying my compliments, they called out with

appearance of great joy, “Welcome, my brave lord, you are

welcome;” and one of them speaking for the rest, said, “We have

a long time expected a person like you. Your manner sufficiently

shows that you possess all the good qualities we could wish, and we

hope that you will not find our company either disagreeable or

unworthy of you.” After much resistance on my part, they forced me

to sit down on a place that was more raised than theirs; and when I

showed them it was unpleasant to me, they said, “it is your place;

from this moment you are our lord, our master, and our judge; we are

your slaves, and ready to obey your commands.” Nothing in the

world could have astonished me more than the desire and the

eagerness these females professed to render me every possible

service. One brought me some warm water to wash my feet; another

threw some perfumed water over my hands; some brought me whatever

was necessary to change my dress; and others served up a magnificent

collation, while another party presented themselves before me with a

glass in their hands, ready to pour out the most delicious wine. All

this was done without any confusion, and in such admirable order and

such a pleasant way, that I was quite charmed. I eat and drank;

after which all the ladies, placing themselves around me, asked me

to relate my journey. I gave them an account of my adventures so

fully, that it lasted till the beginning of the night. When I had

finished the relation of my history to the forty ladies, some of

those who were seated nearest to me, waited to entertain me; while

others, observing it was night, went out to seek for lights. They

returned with such a prodigious quantity, that they produced almost

the brilliancy of day; but they were arranged with so much symmetry

and taste, that we could hardly wish for it.

Some of the other ladies covered the tables with dried fruits,

sweetmeats, and whatever else was adapted to excite a desire for

drinking; they also furnished the sideboard with many sorts of wine

and liquors, while the remainder of the ladies came with several

musical instruments. When every thing was ready, they invited me to

sit down at table; the ladies sat down with me, and we remained

there a considerable time. Those who entertained us with the

instruments, accompanied them with their voices, and formed a

delightful concert. The rest began a sort of ball, and danced in

pairs one after the other in the most graceful and elegant manner

possible. It was past midnight before all these amusements were

concluded. One of the ladies then, addressing me, said, “You are

fatigued with the distance you have come to-day, and it is time you

should take some repose. Your apartment is prepared; but before you

retire, you are requested to point out from amongst us all, her who

most pleases you; and she is destined to pass the night in your

chamber. I answered, “it was impossible to make the choice they

required, since they were all equally beautiful and engaging, and

worthy both of my respect and services; and that I could not be

guilty of the incivility of preferring any one to the rest.”

The lady who had first spoken to me, answered, “We are all very

well persuaded of your good intentions, and we are well assured that

the fear of giving rise to any jealousy amongst us, is what prevents

you, but do not let this stop you, for the happiness of her whom you

shall choose will not make us jealous, because we have agreed, that

every day each shall have the same honour in her turn, and at the

end of forty days we shall begin again. Choose then freely, and do

not waste that time which you ought to give to the repose you stand

so much in need of. I was obliged to yield to their entreaties; and

I presented my hand therefore to the lady who had spoken for the

rest; she immediately gave me hers, and they conducted us to a

magnificent apartment. The other ladies then left us there, and

retired to their own.

I had hardly finished dressing myself in the morning, before the

other thirty-nine ladies came into my apartment, differently adorned

from the preceding day. They paid their compliments to me, and made

inquiries after my health. They then conducted me to a bath, where

they employed themselves in washing me, and rendering me every

service I wanted, although contrary to my inclination; and when I

came out, they brought me another dress still more magnificent than

the first. We passed the greatest part of the day at table, and when

the hour of retiring came, they again entreated me to make choice of

another amongst them, to remain as my companion. In short, madam,

not to tire you by repeating the same thing over again, I may tell

you at once, that I passed a whole year with these forty ladies,

taking each of them in their turn for my mistress, and that during

the whole of this time the voluptuous life I led was not interrupted

by the least uneasiness.

I was never more surprised than at the end of the year, when the

forty ladies, instead of presenting themselves to me with their

accustomed good spirits, and making inquiries after my health, one

morning entered my apartment with their countenances bathed in

tears. They each came and embraced me, and said, “Adieu, dear

prince, adieu, we are now compelled to leave you.”

Their tears affected me very much. I entreated them to inform me of

the cause of their grief, and why they were obliged, as they said,

to leave me. “In the name of God, my beautiful ladies,” I

exclaimed, “tell me, I beseech you, is it in my power to console

you, or will my aid and assistance prove useless?” Instead of

answering me in a direct manner, they said, “Would to God we had

never seen or known you. Many men have done us the honour of

visiting us previous to yourself, but no one possessed the elegance,

the softness, the power of pleasing, the merit of yourself; nor do

we know how we shall be able to live without you.” Upon this they

renewed their tears. “Amiable ladies,” I cried, “do not, I beg

of you, keep me any longer in suspense, but tell me the cause of

your sorrow?”--“Alas!” answered they, “what else could

afflict us but the necessity of separating ourselves from you.

Perhaps we shall never meet again. Yet still, if you really wished

it, and had sufficient command over yourself for the purpose, it is

not absolutely impossible to us to rejoin you.”--“In truth,

ladies,” I replied, “I do not at all understand what you mean;

speak, I conjure you, more openly.”--“Well then,” said one of

them, “to satisfy you, we must inform you we are all princesses

and the daughters of kings. You have seen in what manner, and under

what conditions, we live here; but at the end of each year we are

compelled to absent ourselves forty days, to fulfil some duties

which cannot be dispensed with; but which we are not at liberty to

reveal; after this, we again return to this castle. Yesterday the

year finished, and today we must leave you. This is the great cause

of our affliction. Before we go, we will give you the keys of every

thing; and particularly of the hundred doors, within which you will

find ample room to gratify your curiosity and amuse your solitude

during our absence. But for your own sake, and for our particular

interest, we entreat you to refrain from opening the golden door. If

you do open it, we shall never see you again; and the fear we are in

lest you should, increases our sorrow. We hope you will profit by

the advice we have given you. Your repose, your happiness, nay your

life, depends upon it, therefore be careful. If you indiscreetly

yield to your curiosity, you will also do us a considerable injury.

We conjure you, therefore, not to be guilty of this fault, and to

afford us the consolation of finding you here at the end of the

forty days. We would take the key of the golden door with us, but it

would be an offence to such a prince as you are, to doubt your

circumspection and discretion.”

This speech affected me very sensibly. I made them understand that

their absence would cause me much pain, and thanked them very much

for the good advice they gave me. I assured them I would profit by

it; and would perform things much more difficult if it would procure

me the happiness of passing the remainder of my life with ladies of

such rare and extraordinary merit. We took the most tender leave of

each other; I embraced them all; and they departed from the castle,

in which I remained quite alone.

The pleasantness of their company, good living, concerts, and

various amusements, had so entirely engrossed my time during the

whole year, that I had nor the least opportunity, nor indeed

inclination, to examine the wonders that were contained in this

enchanted palace. I had not even paid any attention to the multitude

of extraordinary objects which were continually before my eyes; so

much was I taken up with the charms and accomplishments of the

ladies, and the pleasure I felt at finding them always employed in

endeavouring to amuse me. I was very much afflicted at their

departure; and although their absence was to last only forty days,

this time, when deprived of their society, seemed to me an age.

I determined in my own mind to attend to the advice they had given

me, not to open the golden door; but as I was permitted, with that

one exception, to satisfy my curiosity, I took the keys belonging to

the others, which were regularly arranged, and opened the first

door. I entered a fruit-garden, to which I thought nothing in the

world was comparable; not even that which our religion promises us

the enjoyment of after death. The admirable order and arrangement in

which the trees were disposed, the abundance and variety of the

fruits, many of which were unknown to me, together with their

freshness and beauty, and the elegant neatness apparent in every

spot, ravished me with astonishment. I must not either neglect to

inform you that this delightful garden was watered in a most

singular manner: small channels cut out with great art and

regularity, and of different sizes, conveyed the water in great

abundance to the roots of some trees which required it in order to

send forth their first leaves and flowers; while others, whose

fruits were already set, received it with a more sparing hand; and

those where the fruit was much swelled had still less, while a

fourth sort, having the fruit come to its full size, had just what

was sufficient to ripen it. The size also, which all the fruits

acquired, very much exceeded what we are accustomed to observe in

our gardens. Besides which, these channels that conducted the water

to the trees on which the fruit was ripe, had barely enough to

preserve it in the same state without decaying it.

I could not sufficiently examine and admire so beautiful a spot; and

I should never have left it if I had not from this beginning

conceived a still higher idea of the things which I had not yet

seen. I returned with my mind full of the wonders I had beheld. I

then closed that door, and opened the next.

In the place of a fruit-garden I now discovered one of flowers,

which was not in its kind less singular. It contained a spacious

parterre, not watered with such abundance as the preceding, but with

greater skill and management, as it did not supply each flower with

more than it wanted. The rose, the jessamine, the violet, the

narcissus, the hyacinth, the anemone, the tulip, the ranunculus, the

carnation, the lily, and an infinity of other flowers, which in

other places bloom at various times, come all into flower at once in

this spot; and nothing can be softer than the air you breathe in

this garden.

I then opened the third door, where I discovered a very large

aviary. It was paved with different coloured marbles, of the finest

and least common sort. The cages were of sandal-wood and aloes; and

contained a great number of nightingales, goldfinches, canaries,

larks, and other birds, whose notes were sweeter and more melodious

than any I had ever heard before. The vases which contained their

food and water, were of jaspar or the most valuable agate. This

aviary also was kept with the greatest degree of neatness; and from

its vast extent I conceive that it would employ not less than a

hundred persons to keep it in the state it then was; and yet no one

appeared either here or in the other gardens, in none of which did I

observe a single weed that was noxious, nor the least superfluous

thing that could offend the sight.

The sun was already set, and I retired much delighted with the

warbling of the multitude of birds, which were then flying about to

find the most commodious place to perch and enjoy the repose of the

night. I went back to my apartment, and determined to open all the

other doors on the succeeding days, except the hundredth. The next

day I did not fail to go to the fourth door and open it. But if that

which I had seen on the foregoing days was capable of surprising me,

what I now beheld put me in ecstacy. I first entered into a large

court, surrounded by a building of a very singular sort of

architecture, of which, to avoid being very prolix, I will not give

you a description.

This building had forty doors, all open: each of which was an

entrance into a sort of treasury, containing more riches than many

kingdoms. The first contained large quantities of pearls, and what

is almost incredible, the most valuable, which were as large as

pigeons’ eggs, were more numerous than the smaller. The second was

filled with diamonds, carbuncles, and rubies; the third with

emeralds; the fourth contained gold in ingots; the fifth gold in

money; the sixth ingots of silver; and the two following silver

money. The rest were filled with amethists, chrysolites, topazes,

opals, turquoises, hyacinths, and every other sort of precious stone

we are acquainted with; not to mention agate, jaspar, cornelian, and

coral, both in branches and whole trees, with which one apartment

was entirely filled. Struck with surprise and admiration at the

sight of all these riches, I exclaimed, “It is impossible that all

the treasures of every potentate in the universe, if they were

collected in the same spot, can equal these! How happy am I in

possessing all these treasures as well as such amiable princesses!”

I will not detain you, madam, by giving you an account of all the

wonderful and valuable things which I saw on the following days; I

will only inform you that it took me up nine and thirty days in

opening the ninety-nine doors, and in admiration of every thing that

offered itself to my view. There now remained only the hundredth,

which I was forbidden to touch. The fortieth day since the departure

of the charming princesses now arrived. If I had been able, only for

that one day, to have had the power over myself I ought to have had,

I should have been the happiest instead of the most miserable of

men. They would have returned the next day, and the pleasure I

should have experienced in receiving them, ought to have acted as a

restraint upon my curiosity; but through a weakness which I shall

never cease to lament, I yielded to the temptation of some demon,

who did not suffer me to rest till I had subjected myself to the

pain and punishment I have since experienced.

I opened the fatal door, though I had promised not to attempt it.

Before I even set my foot within-side, a very agreeable odour struck

me, but so powerful it made me faint. I soon however recovered, but

instead of profiting by such warning, instantly shutting the door

and giving up all idea of satisfying my curiosity, I entered; having

first waited till the odour was lessened and dispersed through the

air. I then felt no inconvenience from it. I found a very large and

vaulted room, the floor of which was strewed with saffron. It was

illuminated with lights made of aloe-wood and ambergris, and placed

on golden stands: these afforded a strong smell. The brightness

caused by these was still farther heightened by many lamps of silver

and gold, which were filled with oil composed of many perfumes.

Among the numerous objects which attracted my attention, was a black

horse, the best formed and most beautiful that ever was seen. I went

close to it in order to observe it more attentively. The saddle and

bridle which were on it were of massive gold, richly worked. On one

side of its manger there was clean barley and sesame, and the other

was filled with rose-water; I then took hold of its bridle, and led

it towards the light to examine it the better. I mounted it and

endeavoured to make it go: but as it would not move, I struck it

with a switch which I had found in its magnificent stable. It had

hardly felt the stroke before it began to neigh in a most dreadful

manner; then spreading its wings, which I had not till that moment

perceived, it rose so high in the air, that I lost sight of the

ground. I now thought only of holding fast on its back; nor did I

experience any injury, if I except the great terror with which I was

seized. At length it began to descend towards the earth, and lighted

upon the terraced roof of a castle; then, without giving me time to

get down, it shook me so violently that I fell off behind, and with

the end of its tail it put out my right eye.

This was the way I became blind, and the prediction of the ten young

lords was now instantly brought to my recollection. The horse itself

immediately after spread its wings, took flight, and disappeared. I

rose up, much afflicted at the misfortune which I had thus

voluntarily brought upon myself. I traversed the whole terrace,

keeping my hand up to my eye, as I experienced very considerable

pain from the stroke. I then went down, and came to a saloon, which

I immediately recognised from observing ten sofas disposed in a

circle, and a single one in the middle less elevated: it was in fact

in the very castle whence I had been carried up by the roc.

The ten young lords were not in it at that time. I however waited,

and it was not long before they came, accompanied by the old man.

They did not seem at all astonished at seeing me, nor at observing I

had lost my right eye. “We are very sorry,” they said, “we

cannot congratulate you on your return in the manner we could have

wished; but you know we were not the cause of your misfortune.”

--“It would be,” I replied, “very wrong in me to accuse you of

it: I brought it entirely upon myself, and the fault lies with me

alone.”--“If the unfortunate,” answered they, “can derive

any consolation from knowing that others are in the same situation,

we can afford you that satisfaction. Whatever may have happened to

you, be assured we have experienced the same. We have equally

enjoyed every species of pleasure for a whole year; and we should

have continued in the enjoyment of the same happiness if we had not

opened the golden door during the absence of the princesses. You

have not been more prudent than we were, and you have experienced

the same punishment. We wish we could receive you into our society

to undergo the same penance we are performing, and which we know not

the duration of; but we have before informed you of the motives

which prevent us. You must therefore take your departure, and go to

the court of Bagdad, where you will meet with the person who will be

able to decide your fate.” They pointed out the road I was to

follow; I then took my leave and departed.

During my journey, I shaved my beard and eyebrows, and put on the

habit of a calender. I was a long time on the road, and it was only

this evening that I arrived in this city. At the entrance of one of

the gates I encountered these two calenders, my brethren, who were

equally strangers with myself. We were all much surprised with each

other, at the singular circumstance of having each lost our right

eye. We had not, however, much leisure to converse on the subject of

our mutual disgraceful misfortune. We had only time, madam, to

implore your assistance, and which you have so generously afforded

us.

When the third calender had finished the recital of his history,

Zobeidè, addressing herself both to him and his brethren, said,

“Depart; you are all three at liberty to go wherever you

please.”--“Pardon, madam,” answered one of them, “we beg of

you, our curiosity, and permit us to stay and hear the adventures of

these gentlemen who have not yet spoken. The lady then turned to the

side where the caliph, the vizier Giafar, and Mesrour, of whose real

situation and character she was still ignorant, were, and desired

each of them to relate his history.

The grand vizier, Giafar, who was always prepared to speak,

immediately answered Zobeidè. “In order to obey you, madam,”

said he, “we have only to repeat to you what we already related

before we entered. We are,” he continued, “merchants of

Moussoul, and we are come to Bagdad for the purpose of trading with

our merchandise, which we have placed in the warehouses belonging to

the khan where we live. We dined to-day together, with many others

of our profession, at a merchant’s of this city, who, after

treating us with the most delicate viands and finest wines, had

ordered a company of male and female dancers, and a set of

musicians, both vocal and instrumental. The great noise and uproar

which we all made, attracted the notice of the watch, who came and

arrested many of the guests, but we had the good fortune to escape.

As, however, it was so very late, and the door of our khan would be

shut, we knew not where to go to. It happened accidentally, that we

passed through your street, and as we heard the sounds of pleasure

and gaiety within your walls, we determined to knock at the door.

This is the only relation we have to make, and which we have done

according to your commands.”

Zobeidè, after listening to this narration, seemed to hesitate on

what she should say; which the three calenders observing, they

entreated her to be equally generous to the three pretended

merchants of Moussoul, as she had been to them. “Well then,” she

cried, “I agree to it. I wish all of you to be under the same

obligation to me. I will therefore do you this favor, but it is only

on condition that you instantly quit this house, and go wherever you

please. Zobeidè gave this order in a tone of voice, that showed she

meant to be obeyed: the caliph, the vizier, Mesrour, the three

calenders, and the porter, therefore, went away without replying a

word; for the presence of the seven armed slaves served to make them

very respectful. They had no sooner left the house, and the door was

shut, than the caliph said to the three calenders, at the same time

without letting them know who he was, “What, gentlemen, as you are

strangers, and but just arrived in this city, do you intend to do?

and which way do you think of going, as it is not yet day-light?”

--“This very thing, sir,” answered they, “much embarrasses

us.”--“Follow us, then,” replied the caliph, “and we will

relieve you from this difficulty.” He then whispered his vizier,

and ordered him to conduct them to his own house, and bring them to

the palace in the morning. “I wish,” added he, “to have their

adventures written; for they are worthy of a place in the annals of

my reign.”

The vizier Giafar carried the three calenders home; the porter went

to his own house, and the caliph, accompanied by Mesrour, returned

to his palace. He retired to his couch, but his mind was so entirely

occupied by all the extraordinary things he had both seen and heard,

he was unable to close his eyes. He was particularly anxious to know

who Zobeidè was, and the motives she could possibly have for

treating the two black dogs so ill; and also the reason that

Aminè’s bosom was so covered with scars. The morning at length

broke while he was still engaged with these reflections. He

immediately got up, and went into the room where he held his

councils; he then gave audience, and seated himself on his throne.

It was not long before the grand vizier arrived, who directly went

through the usual ceremonies of respect. “Vizier,” said the

caliph to him, “the business which is now before us is not very

pressing; that of the three ladies and the two black dogs is of more

consequence, nor will my mind be free from agitation till I am fully

informed of every thing that has caused me so much astonishment. Go

and order these ladies to attend, and at the same time bring back

the three calenders with you. Begone, and remember I am impatient

for your return.”

The vizier, who was well acquainted with the quick and violent

disposition of his master, hastened to obey him. He arrived at the

house of the ladies, and informed them, with as much politeness as

possible, of the orders he had received to conduct them to the

caliph; but did not hint at any thing relative to what passed the

night before.

The ladies immediately put on their veils, and went along with the

vizier, who, in passing his own door, called for the calenders. They

had just learnt that they had before seen the caliph, and had even

spoken to him without even knowing it was he. The vizier brought

them all to the palace, and executed his commission with so much

diligence, that the caliph was perfectly satisfied. This prince

ordered the ladies to stand behind the door-way, which led to his

own apartment, in order to preserve a certain decorum before the

officers of his household. He kept the three calenders near him, who

made it sufficiently apparent, by their respectful behaviour, that

they were not ignorant in whose presence they had the honour to

appear.

When the ladies were seated, the caliph turned himself towards them,

and said, “When I inform you, ladies, that I introduced myself to

you last night, disguised as a merchant, I shall without doubt cause

you some alarm: you are afraid, probably, that you offended me, and

you think, perhaps, that I have ordered you to come here only to

show you some marks of my resentment; but be of good courage, and be

assured that I have forgotten what is past, and that I am even very

well satisfied with your conduct. I wish that all the ladies of

Bagdad were possessed of as much sense as I have observed in you. I

shall always remember the moderation with which you conducted

yourselves after the incivility we were guilty of towards you. I was

then a simple merchant of Moussoul, but I am now Haroun Alraschid,

the seventh caliph of the glorious house of Abbas, which holds the

place of our great prophet. I have ordered you here only for the

sake of being informed who you are, and to inquire of you for what

reason one of you, after having ill-treated the two black dogs, wept

with them. Nor am I less curious to learn why the bosom of another

became so covered with scars.”

Though the caliph pronounced these words very distinctly, and the

three ladies understood them very well, the vizier Giafar, as was

the custom, did not fail to repeat them. The prince had no sooner

encouraged Zobeidè by this speech, which he addressed to her, than

she gave him the satisfaction he required, in the following manner.

THE HISTORY

OF ZOBEIDÈ.

Commander of the Faithful, the history which I am going to relate to

your majesty is, probably, one of the most surprising you have ever

heard. The two black dogs and myself are three sisters by the same

mother and father; and I shall, in the course of my narration,

inform you by what strange accident they have been transformed into

these animals. The two ladies who live with me, and who are now

here, are also my sisters by the same father, but by a different

mother. She, whose bosom is covered with scars, is called Aminè;

the name of the other is Safiè; and I am called Zobeidè.

After the death of our father, the estate which he left us was

equally divided amongst us. When my two half-sisters had received

their share, they went and lived with their mother; my other two

sisters and I remained with ours, who was still alive, and who, when

she died, left a thousand sequins to each of us. When we had

received what belonged to us, my two elder sisters, for I am the

youngest, married. They of course went to live with their husbands,

and left me alone. Not long after their marriage, the husband of my

eldest sister sold every thing he possessed, both of estate and

moveables, and with the money he thus got together, and with what he

received also with my sister, they both of them went over to Africa.

Her husband there squandered away, in good living and dissipation,

not only all his own fortune, but also that which my sister brought

him. At length, finding himself reduced to the greatest distress, he

found out some pretext for a divorce, and drove her from him.

She returned to Bagdad, but not without suffering almost incredible

evils during so long a journey. She came to seek a refuge at my

house in a state so deserving of pity, that she would have excited

it even in the most obdurate hearts. I received her with every mark

of affection she could expect from me; I inquired of her how she

came to be in so wretched a condition; she informed me with tears in

her eyes of the bad conduct of her husband, and of the unworthy

treatment she had experienced from him. I was affected at her

misfortunes, and mingled my tears with hers. I then made her go to

the bath, and supplied her from my own wardrobe; this being done, I

addressed these words to her: “You are my eldest sister, and I

shall always look upon you as a mother. During your absence, God has

caused the little fortune which has fallen to my lot to prosper; and

the occupation I have followed has been that of breeding and

bringing up silk-worms. Be assured, that every thing I possess is

equally yours, and that you have the same power of disposing of it

as myself.”

From this time we lived together in the same house for many months

in perfect harmony. We often talked about our other sister, and were

much surprised at never hearing any thing of her. At last she

unexpectedly arrived, and in as miserable a state as the eldest had

done. Her husband had ill-treated her in a similar manner, and I

received her with the same kindness.

Some time after this, both my sisters, under the pretence, as they

said, that they were a considerable burden to me, informed me that

they had thoughts of marrying again. I told them, that if the only

reason for this intention was the idea of being an expense to me, I

begged they would continue to live with me without thinking of that,

as my income was sufficient for us all three to live in the style

and manner suitable to our condition; but I added, “I really think

you wish to marry again. If that be the fact I am, I own, very much

astonished at it. How can you, after the experience you have had of

the small degree of satisfaction and comfort attached to that state,

ever think of it a second time? You must be very well aware, that it

is not common to meet with a virtuous and good husband. Believe me,

it is better to continue to live together, and much the most

agreeable.”

Every thing I said to them was without effect.--They had determined

in their own minds to marry, and they executed their intentions. At

the end, however, of a few months, they came again to me, and made a

thousand excuses for not having followed my advice. “You are, it

is true, our youngest sister,” they said, “but you possess more

sense than we do. If you will once more receive us into your house,

and only consider us as your slaves, we will never again be guilty

of such a fault.”--“My dear sisters,” answered I, “my

regard for you is not changed since last we parted. Return, and

enjoy with me whatever I possess.” I embraced them, and we lived

together as before.

A year passed, and we continued on the best terms. Observing, that

God had blessed my small fortune, I determined to make a sea voyage,

and risk some part of it in a commercial speculation. With this view

I went with my two sisters to Balsora, where I purchased a vessel

ready for sea, which I loaded with the merchandize I had brought

with me from Bagdad. We set sail with a favourable wind, and soon

reached the Persian gulf. When we were in the open sea, we steered

directly for India: and after twenty days sail, we made land. The

first that appeared was a very high mountain, at the foot of which

we perceived a town, of considerable beauty and magnitude. As the

wind was fresh, we soon arrived in the harbour, where we cast anchor.

I was too impatient to wait till my sisters were ready to accompany

me; I therefore disembarked by myself, and went directly to the gate

of the town. I observed rather a numerous guard, most of them

sitting down, and others, who were standing with clubs in their

hands. But the aspect of all of them was so hideous, it frightened

me. I saw, however, they did not stir, and even that their eyes were

motionless. This gave me courage, and on approaching still nearer to

them, I perceived they were all petrified. I then entered the town,

and passed through several streets, in all of which I observed men

in every attitude, but they were without motion, and absolutely

turned to stone. In the quarter of the town where the merchants

resided, I found many shops shut up; and in some that were open I

perceived other men, who were also petrified. I looked up towards

the chimneys, and as I perceived no smoke, I concluded that those

who were in the houses were exactly in the same situation as every

one in the streets, and that all the inhabitants were changed into

stone.

Having arrived at a large open place in the middle of the town, I

discovered a great gate, covered with plates of gold, the two

folding-doors of which were open; a silk curtain seemed drawn before

it, and I could perceive a lamp suspended from the inside of the

gate. After having considered this building some time, I did not

doubt but it was the palace of the prince to whom this country

belonged. Having been much astonished at not meeting with any one

living person, I went in there, through the hopes of discovering

some one. I drew aside the curtain; and my astonishment was much

increased, when I saw in the vestibule a number of porters, or

guards, some of them standing, others sitting down, and every one of

them petrified.

I passed on to a large court, where there were many people: some

seemed in the very act of going out, and others of entering;

nevertheless they all remained in the same place, since they also

were turned to stone, in the same manner as those which I had before

seen. I passed on to a second court, and from thence to a third; but

they were both deserted, and a sort of horrid silence reigned

throughout the place. Having advanced to a fourth court, I saw

opposite to me a very beautiful building, the windows of which were

shut with a trellis of massive gold. I concluded, that this was the

apartment of the queen. I entered, and going into a large hall, I

saw many black petrified eunuchs; I immediately passed on, and went

into a chamber very richly decorated, in which I perceived a lady,

who was also transformed to stone: I knew that this was the queen,

by a crown of gold which she had upon her head; and by a necklace of

pearls, which were as large and round as small nuts. I examined them

very nearly, and thought I had never seen any more beautiful.

I continued to admire, for some time, the riches and magnificence of

this apartment, and above all the carpet, the cushions, and a sofa,

which was covered with Indian stuff, of a gold ground, upon which

there were the figures of men and of animals in silver, of very

superior workmanship. From the chamber of the petrified queen I

passed on through many other magnificent apartments, of various

descriptions, until I came to one of an immense size, in which there

was a throne of massive gold, raised a few steps above the floor,

enriched with large emeralds. Upon the throne there was a bed formed

of very rich stuff, round which there was a border of pearls; but

what surprised me more than all the rest, was a very brilliant

light, which seemed to issue from above the bed. I was curious to

discover what was the cause of it; I ascended therefore, and leaning

my head forward, I perceived upon a small stool, a diamond as large

as an ostrich’s egg, and so perfect, that I could discover no

defect in it. It sparkled so much, that I could scarcely support the

brilliancy of it, when I looked at it by day-light.

There was a bolster upon each side of the bed, and a large lighted

torch, the use of which I did not understand. This circumstance,

however, led me to conclude, that there was some one alive in this

superb palace; for I could not suppose, that these torches could

continue burning of themselves. Many other singularities struck my

attention in this chamber; but the diamond alone, which I have just

mentioned, rendered it inestimable.

As all the doors were either wide open or only just pushed close, I

passed through still more apartments, as beautiful as those which I

had before seem I then went to the offices and store-rooms, which

were filled with innumerable riches: and I was so much engaged in

observing all these wonders that I absolutely forgot myself. I

thought neither of my vessel, nor of my sisters, but was anxious

only to satisfy my curiosity. In the mean time night came on, and

its approach told me it was time to retire. I then wished to go back

the same way I came, but it was no easy matter to find it again. I

wandered about through the apartments, and finding myself in the

large chamber, in which were the throne, the bed, the large diamond,

and the lighted torches, I resolved to pass the night there, and

early the next morning to go back to my vessel. I threw myself upon

the bed, though not without some fear, in recollecting that I was

alone in so deserted a place; and it was this fear, without doubt,

which prevented me from sleeping.

It was now about midnight, when I heard a voice like that of a man,

who was reading the koran, in the same manner, and in a similar

tone, as it was the custom to read it in our temples. This gave me

great joy; I immediately got up, and taking a torch to light me, I

went on from one chamber to another, on that side whence I heard the

voice. I stopped at the door of a cabinet, from which I was sure the

voice issued: I laid down the torch on the ground, and looking in

through a small opening, it seemed to me to be an oratory. I

perceived within it, as in our temples, a sort of niche, which

pointed out the way it was necessary to turn, when we repeated our

prayers. There were also some lamps suspended, and also two

chandeliers containing large candles made of white wax, all of which

were lighted.

I perceived, also, a small carpet, spread out in the same manner as

those which we spread with us, in order to kneel upon, when we pray.

A young man, of a pleasant countenance, was seated upon this carpet,

and recited, with great attention, from the koran, which lay before

him upon a small desk.--Astonished and delighted at this sight, I

endeavoured to account how it happened that he was the only person

alive in a town, where every one else was petrified; and I did not

doubt but that there was something very extraordinary in this.

As the door was scarcely shut, I entered, and, placing myself before

the niche, I made the following prayer aloud:--

“God be praised, for having granted us so prosperous a voyage: may

he continue to favour us with his protection, till we arrive in our

own country. Listen to me, O Lord, and grant my prayer.” The young

man then cast his eyes upon me, and said, “I entreat you, my good

lady, to tell me who you are, and what has brought you to this

desolate town? I will inform you, in return, who I am, what has

happened to me, and for what reason the inhabitants of this town are

reduced to the condition you have seen; and how it happens also,

that I alone am safe, and have escaped so dreadful a disaster.”

I related to him, in a few words, whence I came, what had induced me

to make this voyage, and how I had fortunately arrived at this port,

after twenty days sail. Having said this, I entreated him, in his

turn, to fulfil the promise he had made me; and I remarked to him

how much I had been struck by the frightful desolation which I had

observed in all the places through which I had passed.

“My dear lady,” then replied the young man, “have a moment’s

patience.” At these words he shut the koran, put it into a rich

case, and laid it in the niche. I took this opportunity to observe

him very accurately, and I perceived so much grace and beauty in his

countenance, that I felt an emotion I had been, till now, a stranger

to. He made me sit down near him, and before he began his relation,

I could not refrain from saying to him, with an air by which he

might discover the sentiments he had inspired; “It is impossible

for any one to wait with more impatience than I do, for the

explanation of so many surprising things, which have struck my

sight, from the first step I set in this town; nor can my curiosity

be too soon gratified: speak, I conjure you, dear object of my soul;

tell me by what miracle you alone are alive amidst so many persons,

who seem to have died in such an uncommon manner.”

“You have made it very apparent, madam, by the prayer you have

addressed to Him,” replied the young man, “that you are not

ignorant of the true God. I am now about to inform you of a

remarkable instance of his greatness and power. You must know, that

this city was the capital of a very powerful kingdom, of the same

name and title as that of the king, my father. This prince, as well

as all his court, the inhabitants of this city, and also all his

other subjects, were of the religion of Magi, idolaters of fire, and

of Nardoun, the ancient king of the giants, who rebelled against God.

“Although both my father and mother were idolaters, I had in my

infancy the good fortune to have a governess, or nurse, who was of

the true religion: she was thoroughly acquainted with the koran,

could repeat it by art, and explain it perfectly well. “My

prince,” she would often say to me, “there is only one true God;

take care how you acknowledge and adore any other.” She taught me

also to read the Arabic language, and the book which she gave me for

this purpose was the koran. I was no sooner capable of understanding

it, than she explained to me all the particular points of that

admirable book: she made me enter thoroughly into the spirit of it,

entirely unknown to my father, and every one besides. She at length

died; but it was not before she had given me all the instruction

that was necessary to convince me most completely of the truths of

the Mussulman religion. After her death, I remained constant and

firm in the sentiments and opinions she had instilled into me; and I

felt a perfect abhorrence for the god Nardown, and the worship of

fire.

“About three years and a few months ago, a voice, like thunder,

was heard on a sudden all over the town, so very distinctly, that no

individual lost a single word. The words were these: “Inhabitants,

abandon the worship of Nardoun, and of fire; and adore the only God,

who shows mercy.”

“The same voice was heard three successive years, yet not one

person was converted. On the last day of the third year, between

three and four o’clock in the morning, every one of the

inhabitants were in an instant transformed into stones; each

remaining in the very posture and spot he then happened to be in.

The king, my father, experienced the same fate; he was changed to a

black stone, as you might see in a part of the palace; and the

queen, my mother, experienced a similar transformation.

“I am the only person on whom God has not inflicted this terrible

punishment. From this moment I have continued to serve him with

greater zeal than ever, and I am well persuaded, my dear lady, that

he has sent you for my consolation and comfort. How much do I thank

him for his great mercies; for I own to you, that this solitude was

become quite distressing.”

This narrative, and more particularly the latter part, still farther

increased my attachment to the prince. “I can no longer doubt,”

I said to him, “that Providence has conducted me to your country

for the express purpose of enabling you to leave so melancholy a

spot. The vessel in which I arrived, may lead you to conclude, that

I am of some consequence in Bagdad, where I have left things of

equal value with those I have brought. I can venture to offer you a

safe retreat there, till the powerful Commander of the Faithful, the

vicar of our great Prophet, whom you are not ignorant of, shall have

bestowed upon you all the honours you so well deserve. This

illustrious prince resides at Bagdad; and be assured he will no

sooner be informed of your arrival in his capital, than you will

acknowledge you have not sought his assistance in vain. It is not

possible for you to live any longer in a city where every object is

become insupportable to you. My vessel is at your service, and you

may dispose of it at your pleasure.” He joyfully accepted the

offer, and we passed the rest of the night in talking of our voyage.

As soon as the morning appeared, we departed from the palace, and

went towards the harbour; where we found my sisters, the captain,

and my slaves, all in great pain about my safety. After introducing

my sisters to the prince, I informed them of the reason that had

prevented my return on the preceding day; I related to them also my

adventures, how I met the young prince, his history, and the cause

of the entire desolation which reigned over the whole of so

beautiful a city.

The sailors were many days engaged in landing the merchandize which

I had brought with me, and in shipping, in the place of it, the most

valuable and precious things we could find in the palace, in silver,

in gold, and in jewels. We left behind us all the furniture, and a

multitude of articles worked in gold, because we had no room to stow

them in. Many vessels would have been necessary to have transported

to Bagdad all the riches we saw in this city.

After we had filled the ship with whatever we wished to carry away,

we set sail with the wind as favourable as we could wish; having

first taken in such a supply of provisions and water as we judged

sufficient for our voyage. Of the former indeed there yet remained a

considerable quantity, which we had brought from Bagdad.

From the commencement of our voyage, the young prince, my sisters,

and myself, entertained ourselves very agreeably every day: but

alas! this harmony and good humour did not last long. My sisters

became jealous of the good understanding which they observed to

subsist between the prince and myself: and in a malicious manner

asked me what I intended to do with him, when we arrived at Bagdad.

I was very well aware, that they put this question to me only for

the purpose of discovering my sentiments. I therefore pretended to

give the matter a pleasant turn, and jocosely told them I intended

to make him my husband; then turning directly to the prince, I said

to him, “I entreat you, my prince, to accede to my plan. As soon

as we arrive at Bagdad, it is my intention to offer you my person as

the humblest of your slaves, to render you every service in my

power, and to acknowledge you as absolute master over my actions.”

“Madam,” replied the prince, “I know not whether you say this

in joke or not; but with respect to myself, I declare most

seriously, before these ladies, your sisters, that I accept from

this instant the offer you have now made me, most willingly; not

indeed to consider you in the light of my slave, but as my mistress

and wife, and I here claim no power whatever over your actions.”

--At this speech my sisters instantly changed colour; and from this

moment I observed, that they no longer continued to have the same

regard for me as before.

We had already reached the Persian gulf, and were very near Balsora;

where, if the wind proved strong and favourable, I hoped to arrive

on the following day. But in the night, while I was fast asleep, my

sisters seized that opportunity to throw me into the sea: they

treated the prince also in the same manner; and he was unfortunately

drowned. For some moments I supported myself on the surface of the

water; and by good fortune, or rather by a miracle, I afterwards

touched the bottom. I advanced forward towards something that

appeared very black, and which, as well as the obscurity would

suffer me to distinguish, I conjectured to be land. I happily gained

the shore, and when the day appeared, I found that I was in a small

desert island, about twenty miles from the town of Balsora. I

immediately dried my clothes in the sun, and in walking about I

discovered many sorts of fruit, and also a spring of fresh water.

From these circumstances I had great hopes of being able to preserve

my life.

I then went and reposed myself in the shade, and while there, I

observed a very large and long serpent with wings. It advanced

towards me, first moving on one side and then on the other, with its

tongue hanging out of its mouth. From this I conjectured it had

received some injury. I immediately got up, and perceived that it

was pursued by another serpent still larger, who held it fast by the

end of its tail, and was endeavouring to devour it. This excited my

compassion; and instead of running away, I had the boldness and

courage to take up a stone, which I accidentally found near me, and

let it fall with all my strength on the larger serpent: I struck it

on its head, and crushed it to pieces. The other, finding itself at

liberty, immediately opened its wings and flew away. I continued to

look for some time at this very extraordinary animal; but having

lost sight of it, I again seated myself in the shade in another

spot, and fell asleep.

Conceive what was my astonishment, when I awoke, to find close by my

side a black woman, of a lively and agreeable expression of

countenance, holding by a chain two dogs of the same colour. I

immediately sat up, and asked her who she was.--“I am,” she

replied, “that serpent which you delivered not long since from its

most cruel enemy. I imagined I could not better repay the important

services you had rendered me, than by what I have just now

performed. I was well acquainted with the treachery of your sisters,

and to gratify your revenge, as soon as I was delivered by your

generous assistance, I collected together a great many of my

companions, who are fairies like myself: we immediately transported

all the lading of your vessel to your warehouses at Bagdad; and we

then sunk the ship. These two black dogs, which you see here, are

your sisters; I have given them that form; but this punishment will

not be sufficient, and I wish you to treat them in the manner I am

going to point out.”

At this instant the fairy took both the two black dogs and myself in

her arms, and transported us to Bagdad, where I perceived, laid up

in my warehouse, all the riches with which my vessel had been laden.

Before the fairy left me she delivered to me the two black dogs, and

spoke as follows: “I command you, by order of Him who can subvert

the seas, and under the penalty of being changed to a similar

animal, to inflict upon each of your sisters, every night, one

hundred lashes with a whip; as a punishment for the crime they have

been guilty of towards you and the young prince, whom they have

drowned.” I felt myself obliged to promise to execute what she

required.

Every evening from that instant I have, though unwillingly, treated

them in the manner your majesty was a witness to last night. I

endeavour to express to them, by my tears, with what repugnance and

grief I fulfil my cruel duty; and in all this you may plainly

perceive, that I am rather to be pitied than blamed. If there be any

thing else that regards me, and of which you may wish to be

informed, my sister Aminè, by the recital of her history, will

afford you every explanation.

The caliph, after having listened with admiration and astonishment

to the adventures of Zobeidè, desired his grand vizier Giafar, to

request the agreeable Aminè to explain by what means she became so

covered with scars. The latter, addressing herself to the caliph,

began her history in the following manner.

THE HISTORY

OF AMINÈ.

Commander of the Faithful, that I may not repeat those things which

your majesty has already been informed of by my sister, I will only

mention, that my mother, having taken a house to pass her widowhood

in private, first bestowed me in marriage on the heir of one of the

richest men in this city.

I had not been married quite a year before my husband died. I thus

became a widow, and was in possession of all his property, which

amounted to above ninety thousand sequins. The interest only of this

sum would have been quite sufficient for me to have passed the

remainder of my life with ease and reputation. In the mean time, as

soon as the first six months of my mourning were over, I ordered ten

different dresses to be made up, which were so very magnificent that

each cost me a thousand sequins; and when my year of mourning was

finished, I began to wear them.

I was one day quite alone, and employed about my domestic affairs,

when they came and told me that a lady wanted to speak with me. I

desired them to let her come in. She appeared to be very far

advanced in years. On her entrance she saluted me, by kissing the

ground, and then rising on her knees, she said, “I entreat you, my

good lady, to excuse the liberty which I have taken, in coming to

importune you; but the assurance I have received of your charitable

disposition is the cause of my boldness. I must inform you, most

honourable lady, that I have an orphan daughter, who is to be

married to-day: we are both strangers, and have not the least

knowledge of any one in this city. This causes us great anxiety and

confusion; because we wish that the numerous family, with which we

are going to be connected, should be acquainted, that we are not

altogether unknown and of no respectability and credit. It is for

this reason, most charitable lady, that you would lay us under an

infinite obligation, if you would honour the nuptials with your

presence. If, therefore, you grant us this favour, our own

countrywomen will know, that we are not looked upon here as poor

wretches, when they shall be informed, that a person of your rank

has had the condescension to do us so great an honour. But if, alas!

you reject our petition, how great will our mortification be;

because we know not to whom else to address ourselves!”

The poor lady was in tears during the whole of this speech, which

very much excited my compassion. “My good mother,” replied I,

“do not afflict yourself any more; I shall be very happy to oblige

you in the way you wish. Tell me where I must come to; I only wish

for time sufficient to dress myself properly for such an

occasion.” The old lady was so overjoyed at this answer, that she

would have fallen at my feet and kissed them, if I had not prevented

her. “My dear good lady,” she cried in getting up, “God will

recompense you for the goodness you have shown to those who will

always consider themselves as your servants; he will make your bosom

overflow with joy from the reflection of your having been the cause

of so much to us. It is not necessary for you to have the trouble of

remembering the address, but only that you will have the goodness to

go with me in the evening, at the time I shall come and call for

you. Adieu, madam,” added she, “till I have the honour of seeing

you again.”

She had no sooner left me, than I went and took that dress I liked

best; also a necklace of large pearls, a pair of bracelets, some

rings both for the fingers and ears, of the finest and most

brilliant diamonds; for I, somehow or other, seemed to have a

presentiment of what would happen to me.

The evening began to close, when the old lady, with a countenance

that expressed great joy, arrived at my house. She kissed my hand,

and said, “The parents and relations of my son-in-law are all

arrived; and they are ladies of the first consequence in this city.

You may now come, whenever it is agreeable to you; and I am ready to

serve you as a guide.” We immediately set out, and she walked

before to show me the way. I followed, together with a great number

of my female slaves, all properly dressed for the occasion. Having

come into a wide street, that had been fresh swept and watered, we

stopped at a large door, lighted by a lamp, by the help of which I

could distinguish this inscription, written over the door, in

letters of gold; “this is the continual abode of pleasures and of

joy.” The old lady knocked, and the door instantly opened.

They conducted me through a court into a large hall, where I was

received by a young lady of incomparable beauty. She came

immediately towards me; and after embracing me, she made me sit next

to her on a sofa, over which there was a sort of throne, or canopy,

formed of precious wood enriched with diamonds. “You have come

here madam,” she said to me, “to assist at some nuptials; but I

trust they will belong to different persons from those which you

expect. I have a brother, who is one of the best made and

accomplished of men. He is so charmed with the description which he

has heard of your beauty, that his fate absolutely depends upon you;

and he will be most unfortunate and wretched, if you do not have

pity upon him. He is well acquainted with the situation you hold in

the world, and I can assure you that he is not unworthy of your

alliance. If my prayers, madam, can have any weight with you, I

readily join them to his, and entreat you not to reject the offer

which he makes you, of receiving him for your husband.”

Since the death of my husband, the idea of marrying again never came

into my head; but I did not possess sufficient resolution to refuse

so beautiful a person. I had no sooner given my assent to this by my

silence, accompanied by a blush, which suffused my cheek, than the

young lady clapped her hands; a young man immediately entered, with

so majestic an air and so much apparent grace, that I thought myself

fortunate in having made so excellent a conquest. He seated himself

near me; and I discovered, by the conversation that passed between

us, that his merit was still greater than his sister had informed me

of.

When she found, that we were very well satisfied with each other,

she clapped her hands a second time, and the cadi immediately

entered, who made a contract for our marriage, signed it, and had it

also witnessed by four persons whom he brought with him for that

purpose. There was one condition, and it was the only one my new

husband required of me; and this was, that I should neither see nor

speak to any other man than himself. He then took an oath that if I

preserved these terms, I should have every reason to be satisfied

with him. Our marriage was then concluded, and thus I became a

principal person concerned, when I only thought of being a

spectator, and a guest.

About a month after our marriage, having occasion to purchase some

silk stuff, I asked leave of my husband to go out and execute this

commission. This he immediately granted; and I took with me by way

of companion, the old woman of whom I have already spoken, and who

lived in the house, and two of my female slaves.

When we had come to that street in which the merchants reside, the

old woman said to me, “Since you are come, my good mistress, to

look for silk stuff, I will take you to a young merchant whom I am

very well acquainted with here; he has some of every sort; and

without, therefore, fatiguing yourself by running from shop to shop,

I assure you that at his you will find whatever you may want.” I

suffered her to conduct me; and we entered a shop, where there was a

young merchant, who was very well made. I sat down, and desired him,

by means of the old woman, to show me some of the most beautiful

silk stuffs that he had. The old woman wished me to make the request

myself, but I told her that one of the conditions of our marriage

was, not to speak to any man besides my husband; and I did not

intend to infringe it.

The merchant showed me a variety of sorts; one of which pleased me

more than the rest, and I desired her to ask the price of it. In

answer to her, he said, “I will sell it to her for neither silver

nor gold; but I will make her a present of it if she will have the

condescension to permit me to kiss her cheek.” I desired the old

woman to tell him, that his proposal was a very rude and impertinent

one. But instead of doing what I ordered, she told me she thought

that what the merchant required was a matter of no importance; that

he did not ask me to speak, but I had only to present my cheek to

him, which was merely the business of a moment. My desire to possess

the silk was so great, I was foolish enough to follow the old

woman’s advice. She and my slaves immediately stood up before me,

that no person might observe me; I then drew aside my veil, when,

instead of kissing me, the merchant gave me such a bite, that the

blood flowed from the wound.

The surprise and pain were so great, that I fainted and fell down. I

remained for so great a length of time in that state that it

afforded the merchant sufficient opportunity to shut up his shop,

and make his escape. When I returned to my senses, I perceived my

cheek entirely covered with blood. The old lady and my women had the

precaution, at the first instant, to cover my face with my veil, so

that when the people collected to see what was the matter, they

could perceive nothing; but believed it to be only a sudden weakness

that had seized me.

The old woman who accompanied me, and who was extremely chagrined at

the accident which had happened, endeavoured nevertheless to give me

courage. “Indeed, my good mistress,” she said to me, “I

sincerely ask your pardon. I am the only cause of this misfortune. I

carried you to this merchant because he was my countryman, and I

could never have thought he would have been guilty of so great a

wickedness; but do not afflict yourself; let us lose no time in

returning to your house; I will give you a remedy which shall make

so perfect a cure in three days, that not the least possible mark,

or scar, shall remain.” My fainting had rendered me so weak that I

could scarcely walk; I, however, contrived to get home, but on

entering my chamber I again fainted. In the mean time the old woman

applied her remedy, I recovered from the fit, and went immediately

to bed.

Night came, and my husband arrived. He perceived that my head was

very much wrapped up, and asked me the reason of it. I told him that

I had a bad head-ache, which I hoped would have satisfied him, but

he took up a taper, and observing that I had a wound on my cheek,

“How happened this?” he cried. Now, although I was not guilty of

a very great fault, I could not make up my mind to discover the

whole affair to him; to enter also into this detail, seemed to me

not the most decorous. I told him that as I was going to purchase

the silk I wanted, and which he had given me permission to do, a

porter with a bundle of wood had passed so close to me at the corner

of a very narrow street, that one of the sticks had grazed my cheek;

but that it was a mere trifle.

At this my husband was excessively enraged. “This act,” he

cried, “shall not remain unpunished; I will to-morrow give an

order to the officer of the police, to arrest all these brutes of

porters, and hang every one of them.” Fearful of occasioning the

death of so many innocent people, “Take care, my lord,” I cried,

how you commit such an act of injustice: I should be very sorry to

be the cause of your doing it; and if I were to be guilty of such a

crime, I should think myself unworthy of pardon.”--“Tell me

then, sincerely,” he said, “what am I to think of your wound?”

I then related to him that it had been done by a seller of brooms

upon his ass, who, as he came behind me, had his head turned on one

side, and the ass pushed by me so violently, that I fell down and

cut my cheek against a piece of glass.”--“This being the

fact,” added my husband, “the sun shall not have risen to-morrow

morning before the grand vizier Giafar shall be informed of this

insolence. He shall order the death of every broom-seller in the

city.”--“In the name of God, my husband,” I cried,

interrupting him, “I entreat you to pardon them, they are not

culpable.”--“What then, madam,” said he, “am I to believe?

Speak, I insist on hearing the strict truth from your lips.”

--“My lord,” I replied, “I was seized with a giddiness, and

fell down; this is the fact.”

My husband lost all patience at these words. “I have already,”

he cried, “listened too long to your falsehoods;” and in saying

this, he clapped his hands, and three slaves immediately came in.

“Drag her from the bed,” he exclaimed, “and lay her at length

in the middle of the chamber.” This order was instantly executed

by the slaves, one of whom held me by the head, another by the feet,

and he commanded the third to fetch a sabre. As soon as my husband

saw him return with it, “Strike,” he cried, “cut her body in

two and throw it into the Tigris, and let it become food for its

fish. This is the punishment I inflict on those upon whom I have

bestowed my affections, and who cannot preserve their fidelity to

me.” As he observed that the slave rather hesitated in his

obedience, “Strike,” he again cried, “why do you stop? what do

you wait for?”

“Madam,” said the slave to me, “almost the last moment of your

existence is at hand, recollect if there be any thing you wish to

dispose of before your death.” I requested permission to speak a

few words. This was granted me; I then raised my head, and casting a

tender look at my husband, I said, “To what a state, alas! am I

reduced! Must I then die in the very prime of my life.” I wished

to proceed, but my tears and sighs choaked my utterance. This,

however, had no effect on my husband. On the contrary, he began to

reproach me in a way that it would have been useless for me to

answer him. I then had recourse to prayers; but he heeded them not,

and ordered the slave to do his duty. At this moment the old woman,

who had been my husband’s nurse, came in, and throwing herself at

his feet, endeavoured to appease him. “My son,” she cried, “as

a reward for having nursed and brought you up, I conjure you to

grant me her pardon. Consider, I beg, that he who slays shall be

slain; and that you will thus tarnish your reputation, and lessen

yourself in the estimation of society. What will they not say of

such a cruel, inhuman disposition?” She pronounced these words in

so affecting manner, and accompanied them with so many tears, that

they made a very strong impression on my husband.

“Well then,” said he to his nurse, “out of regard for you I

will grant her life; but I am determined she shall carry some marks

to make her remember her crime.” Having said this, one of the

slaves, by his order, gave me so many blows with a small pliant cane

on my sides and bosom, that the skin and flesh were torn in every

part. I remained quite senseless. After this, the same slaves who

were the agents of his rage, carried me into another house, where I

was taken all possible care of by the old woman. I was obliged to

keep my bed four months; at length I was cured; but the scars which

I could not prevent you from seeing yesterday, have remained there

ever since. As soon as I was able to walk about and go out, I wished

to return to the house which I possessed by my first husband, but I

could only discover its situation, for my second husband, in the

excess of his fury, was not satisfied with having that pulled down;

he had even caused the whole street where it stood to be razed to

the ground. This no doubt was a most unjustifiable and unheard-of

revenge; but against whom could I lodge my complaint? Its author had

taken such measures to conceal himself that I could not discover

him. Besides, if I should have found him out, I might easily

conjecture, from the manner in which he had treated me, that his

power was almost absolute. How then dare I have complained?

Entirely desolate, and deprived of every succour, I had recourse to

my dear sister Zobeidè, who has already related her history to your

majesty; and I informed her of my misfortune. She received me with

her accustomed goodness, and exhorted me to bear my afflictions with

patience. “Such is the world,” she said: “it generally

deprives us either of our fortunes, our friends, or our lovers, and

sometimes even of all.” To prove, at the same time, the truth of

what she said to me, she gave me an account of the death of the

young prince, which was occasioned by her two sisters’ jealousy.

She then informed me in what manner they had been transformed into

dogs. After having, in short, given me a thousand proofs of her

friendship and regard, she presented my youngest sister to me, who

after the death of her mother had come to live with her.

Having returned our thanks to God for thus again uniting us, we

resolved for the future to live free, and never again to separate.

We have for a long time continued to pass this tranquil kind of

life, and as I have the whole management of the house, I take a

pleasure in sometimes going out myself to purchase the provisions we

may have occasion for. I went out yesterday for this purpose, and

ordered them to be brought home by a porter, who proved to be

possessed of some wit and humour, and we detained him in order to

divert us. The three calenders arrived about the beginning of the

evening, and requested us to afford them an asylum till the morning.

We received them upon one express condition, which they agreed to;

and after placing them at our own table, they amused us with some

music in a manner peculiar to themselves. At this particular time we

heard a knock at our gate; and we saw there were three merchants of

Moussoul, of a good handsome appearance, who requested the same

favour of us which the calenders had before done; and we granted it

them on the same condition, but not one of them observed their

promise. Although we had the power to punish them, and with the

greatest justice, we were satisfied with only requiring the recital

of each of their histories; and we confined our revenge to the act

of immediately dismissing them, and thus depriving them of the

retreat they had requested.

The caliph Haroun Alraschid was very well satisfied with the account

he thus received, and for which he was so anxious. And he publicly

expressed the pleasure and astonishment which these narratives had

afforded him. When the caliph had thus satisfied his curiosity, he

wished to give some proofs of his generosity and magnificence to the

calenders who were princes; and also to make the three ladies feel

the consequences of his bounty. Without therefore employing the

intervention of his grand vizier, he himself said to Zobeidè,

“Has not that fairy, madam, whom you first beheld under the form

of a serpent, and who has imposed so rigorous a law upon you, given

you any information were she lives; or rather, has she not promised

to see you again, and suffer the two dogs to re-assume their natural

form?”

“I ought not to have forgotten, Commander of the Faithful,”

replied Zobeidè, “to have informed you, that the fairy put a

small packet of hair into my hand; saying, at the same time, that I

should one day have occasion for her presence; and then, if I only

burnt two single hairs she would instantly be with me, although she

should happen to be beyond Mount Caucasus.”--“Where, madam,”

replied the caliph, “is this packet of hair?” She replied, that

she had from that time always carried it about with her very

carefully. She then took it out of her pocket, and opening the lid

of the box in which she kept it, she showed it to him. “Let us

then,” cried the caliph, “make the fairy appear now; you cannot,

since I wish it, call her more opportunely.”

Zobeidè having agreed to it, they brought some fire, and she

directly put the contents of the packet upon it. At the same moment

the whole palace shook, and the fairy, in the shape of a lady most

magnificently dressed, appeared before the caliph. “Commander of

the Faithful,” said she to the prince, “you see me here, ready

to receive your commands. The lady who has called me here at your

desire, has rendered me a very important service; to give her a

proof of my gratitude, I have punished the perfidy of my sisters by

transforming them into dogs, but if your majesty desires it, I will

restore them to their natural shape.”

“Beautiful fairy,” answered the caliph, “you cannot afford me

a greater pleasure than by granting me that favour. I will then find

some means of consoling them for so severe a punishment: but in the

first place I have another request to make to you in behalf of the

lady who has been so ill-treated by her husband. As you are

acquainted with almost every thing, I do not believe you can be

ignorant of that. And you will oblige me very much if you mention

the name of the cruel wretch who was not satisfied with executing so

much cruelty towards her, but even most unjustly deprived her of all

her fortune which belonged to her. I am really astonished that so

criminal and inhuman an act, and one which flies in the very face of

my power and authority, has never come to my knowledge.”

“For the sake of obliging your majesty,” replied the fairy, “I

will restore the two dogs to their original form; I will cure the

lady of all her scars so perfectly, that no one shall be able to

tell that she has ever been wounded; and I will then inform you of

the name of him who has treated her so ill.”

The caliph instantly sent to Zobeidè’s house for the two dogs;

when they were come, the fairy asked for a cup-full of water, which

they gave her. She pronounced some words over it, which they did not

understand, and then threw some of it over Aminè and the two dogs.

The latter were immediately changed into two females of most

extraordinary beauty, and the scars of the former disappeared. The

fairy then addressed the caliph as follows: “I have, O Commander

of the Faithful, only now to discover to you what is the name of the

unknown husband, which you require. He is very nearly related to

you, since indeed it is Prince Amin, your eldest son, and brother to

Prince Mamoun. He, having become enamoured of this lady from the

description he had heard of her beauty, made use of that pretence to

get her into his power, and married her. With regard to the blows he

ordered her, he is in some measure to be excused. His wife was too

easily prevailed on; and the different excuses she invented were

enough to make him think that she was much more criminal than she

really was. This is all that I can tell you for your

satisfaction.” Having concluded this speech, she saluted the

caliph and disappeared.

This prince, filled with wonder and astonishment, and well satisfied

at the alterations and changes that he had been the means of

effecting, performed some actions which will be eternally spoken of.

He first of all called his son, Prince Amin, and told him he was

acquainted with the secret of his marriage, and informed him of the

cause of the wound in Aminè’s cheek. The prince did not wait till

his father ordered him to take her again, but immediately received

her.

The caliph next declared that he bestowed his heart and hand upon

Zobeidè, and proposed her other three sisters to the calenders, the

sons of kings, who accepted them with much joy for their wives. The

caliph then assigned a most magnificent palace to each of them in

the city of Bagdad; he raised them to the first offices of the

empire, and admitted them into his council. They sent for the first

cadi of Bagdad, who, with proper witnesses, drew up the forms of

marriage; and the illustrious and famous caliph Haroun Alraschid, in

bestowing happiness on so many persons, who had experienced such

incredible misfortunes, acquired a thousand benedictions.

THE HISTORY

OF SINDBAD, THE SAILOR.

In the reign of the same caliph, Sire, whom I mentioned in my last

story, namely, Haroun Alraschid, there lived in Bagdad a poor

porter, who was named Hindbad. One day, during the excessive heats

of summer, he was carrying a heavy load from one extremity of the

city to the other, and being much fatigued by the length of way he

had already come, and having still much ground to traverse, he

arrived in a street where the pavement was sprinkled with

rose-water; and a gentle breeze refreshed the air. Delighted with

this cool and pleasant situation, he placed his load on the ground,

and took his station near a large mansion. The delicious scent of

aloes and frankincense which issued from the windows, and mixing

with the rose-water, perfumed the air, together with a charming

concert within, which was accompanied by the melody of the

nightingales and other birds peculiar to the climate of Bagdad, and

the smell of different sorts of viands led him to suppose that some

grand feast was given there. He wished to know whose residence it

was; for, not having frequent occasion to pass that way, he was

unacquainted with the names of the inhabitants. To satisfy his

curiosity, therefore, he approached some servants who were standing,

magnificently dressed, at the door, and inquired who was the master

of that mansion. “What,” replied the servant, “are you an

inhabitant of Bagdad, and do not know that this is the residence of

Sindbad, the sailor, that famous voyager, who has sailed over all

the seas under the sun?” The porter, who had heard of the immense

riches of Sindbad, could not help comparing his situation, which

appeared so enviable, with his own, which was so deplorable; and,

distressed by the reflection he raised his eyes to heaven, and

exclaimed in a loud voice, “Almighty Creator of all things, be

pleased to consider the difference that there is between Sindbad and

myself; I suffer daily a thousand ills, and find the greatest

difficulty to supply my wretched family with bad barley bread,

whilst the fortunate Sindbad expends his riches with profusion, and

enjoys every pleasure. What has he done to obtain so happy a

destiny, or I to merit one so rigorous?” In saying this he struck

the ground with his foot, as is entirely given up to despair. He was

still musing on his fate, when a servant came towards him from the

house, and taking hold of his arms, said, “Come follow me; my

master, Sindbad, wishes to speak with you.”

It may easily be imagined, that Hindbad was not a little surprised

at the compliment that was paid him. After the words he had uttered,

he began to fear that Sindbad sent for him to reprimand him, and

therefore he tried to excuse himself from going; saying that he

could not leave his load in the middle of the street: but the

servant assuring him that it should be taken care of, pressed him so

much to go, that the porter could no longer refuse.

He led him into a spacious room, where a number of persons were

seated round a table, which was covered with all kinds of delicate

viands. In the principal seat was a grave and venerable personage,

whose long white beard hung down to his breast; and behind him were

standing a crowd of officers and servants to wait on him. This

person was Sindbad. The porter, quite confused by the number of the

company, and the magnificence of the entertainment, made his

obeisance with fear and trembling. Sindbad desired him to approach,

and seating him at his right hand, helped him himself to the

choicest dishes, and gave him some excellent wine, with which the

sideboard was plentifully supplied, to drink.

Towards the end of the repast, Sindbad perceiving that his guests

had done eating, began to speak; and addressing himself to Hindbad

by the title of brother, as is the custom amongst the Arabians when

they converse familiarly, he inquired his name and profession.

“Sir,” replied he, “my name is Hindbad.”--“I am happy to

see you,” said Sindbad, “and can answer for the pleasure the

rest of the company also feel at your presence; but I wish to know

from your own lips what it was you said just now in the street:”

for Sindbad, before he went to dinner, had heard the whole of the

discourse from the window, which was the reason of his sending for

him. At this request Hindbad, full of confusion, hung down his head

and replied, “Sir, I must confess to you that my fatigue had put

me so out of humour, that I uttered some indiscreet words, which I

entreat you to pardon me.”--“O,” resumed Sindbad, “do not

imagine that I am so unjust as to have any resentment on that

account. I feel for your situation, and instead of reproaching, I

pity you heartily; but I must undeceive you on one point respecting

myself, where you seem to be in an error. You suppose, no doubt,

that the riches and comforts I enjoy have been obtained without any

labour or trouble; you are mistaken. To arrive at this state, I have

endured for many years the greatest mental as well as bodily

sufferings, that you can possibly conceive. Yes, gentlemen,”

continued he, addressing himself to the whole company, “I assure

you that my sufferings have been of a nature so extraordinary, as

would deprive the greatest miser of his love of riches. Perhaps you

have heard only a confused account of my adventures in the seven

voyages I have made on different seas; and as an opportunity now

offers, I will, with your leave, relate the dangers I have

encountered which I think will not be uninteresting to you.”

As Sindbad was going to relate his history chiefly on the porter’s

account, he gave orders, before he began it, to have his burden,

which had been left in the street, brought in, and placed where

Hindbad should wish; this done, he spoke in these words:--