You are, no doubt, gentlemen, surprised how I could be tempted again
to expose myself to the caprice of fortune, after having undergone
so many perils in my other voyages. I am astonished myself, when I
think of it. It was fate alone that dragged me, at the expiration of
a year, to venture myself a sixth time on the unstable sea,
notwithstanding the tears and entreaties of my relations and
friends, who did all in their power to persuade me to stay.
Instead of taking the rout of the Persian gulf, I passed again
through some of the provinces of Persia and the Indies, and arrived
at a sea-port, where I embarked in a good ship, with a captain who
was determined on making a long voyage. Long indeed it proved, but
at the same time so unfortunate, that the captain and the pilot lost
their way, and did not know how to steer. They at length got right
again, but we had no reason to rejoice on the occasion, for the
captain astonished us all, by suddenly quitting his post, and
uttering the most lamentable cries. He threw his turban on the
floor, tore his beard, and beat his head, as if his senses were
distracted. We asked, what had occasioned these signs of affliction,
“I am obliged to announce to you,” said he, “that we are in
the greatest peril. A rapid current carries the ship, and we shall
all perish in less than a quarter of an hour. Pray God to deliver us
from this imminent danger, for nothing can save us unless he takes
pity on us.” He then gave orders for setting the sails, but the
ropes broke in the attempt, and the ship, without a possibility of
managing it, was dashed to pieces by the current against the foot of
a rock, where it split and went to pieces; we had, however, time to
take precautions for our safety, and to disembark our provisions, as
well as the most valuable part of the lading.
This being effected, the captain said, “God’s will be done. Here
we may dig our graves, and bid each other an eternal farewell; for
we are in so desolate a place, that no one, who ever was cast on
this shore, returned to his own home.” This speech increased our
affliction and we embraced each other with tears in our eyes,
deploring our wretched fate.
The mountain, at the foot of which we were, formed one side of a
large and long island. This coast was covered with the remains of
vessels which had been wrecked on it; and by the infinity of bones,
which every where met the eye, we were convinced of the dreadful
certainty, that many lives had been lost in this spot. It is almost
incredible what quantities of merchandize of every sort were strewed
upon the shore. All these objects only served to increase our
despair.
In every other part, it is common for a number of small rivers to
discharge themselves into the sea, instead of which, here a large
river of fresh water takes its course from the sea, and runs along
the coast through a dark cave, the opening of which is extremely
high and wide. What is most remarkable in this place is, that the
mountain is composed of rubies, crystals, and other precious stones.
Here too, a kind of pitch, or bitumen, distils from the rock into
the sea, and the fishes eating it, return it again in the form of
ambergris, which the waves leave on the shore. The greatest part of
the trees are aloes, which are equal in beauty to those of Comari.
To complete the description of this place, which may be termed a
whirlpool, as nothing ever returns from thence; it is impossible
that a ship can avoid being dragged thither, if it comes within a
certain distance. If a sea-breeze blows that assists the current,
there is no remedy; and if the wind comes from land, the high
mountain impedes its effect, and causes a calm, which allows the
current full force, and then it whirls the ship against the coast,
and dashes it to pieces, as ours was. In addition to this, the
mountain is so steep, that it is impossible to reach the summit, or,
in fact, to escape by any means.
We remained on the shore, quite distracted, expecting to die. We had
divided our provisions equally, so that each individual lived more
or less time, according to the consumption he made of his portion.
They who died first were interred by the others. I had the office of
burying my last companion; for besides managing what provisions were
allowed me with more care than the rest, I had also a store, which I
kept concealed from my comrades. Nevertheless, when I buried the
last, I had so little left, that I imagined I must soon follow him;
so that I dug a grave and resolved to throw myself into it, since no
one remained to perform this last duty. I must confess, that whilst
I was thus employed, I could not avoid reproaching myself as the
sole cause of my misfortune, and most heartily repented of this last
voyage. Nor was I satisfied with reproaches only, but I bit my hands
with despair, and had nearly put an end to my existence.
But God still had pity on me, and inspired me with the thought of
going to the river, which lost itself in the hollow of the cave. I
examined it with great attention, and it occurred to me, that as the
river ran under ground, it must in its course come out to day-light
again; if I construct a raft, thought I, and place myself on it, the
current of the water may perhaps bring me to some inhabited country;
if I perish, it is but changing the manner of my death; but if, on
the contrary, I get safely out of this fatal place, I shall not only
avoid the cruel death by which my companions perished, but may also
meet with some fresh opportunity of enriching myself. Who knows,
that fortune does not await me on my arrival out of this frightful
cavern, to recompense me for all the losses I have sustained.
I worked at my raft with fresh vigour after these reflections; I
made it of thick pieces of wood and great cables, of which there was
an abundance; I tied them closely together, and formed a strong
vessel: when it was completed, I placed on it a cargo of rubies,
emeralds, ambergris, crystal, and also some gold and silver stuffs.
Having placed all these things in a proper equilibrium, and fastened
them to the planks, I embarked on my raft with two little oars,
which I provided myself with, and trusting to the current, I
resigned myself to the will of God.
As soon as I was under the vault of the cavern I lost the light of
day; and the current carried me on without my being able to discern
its course. I rowed for some days in this obscurity, without ever
perceiving the least ray of light. At one time the vault of the
cavern was so low, that it almost knocked my head, which rendered me
very attentive to avoid the danger again. During this time I
consumed no more of my provisions than was absolutely necessary to
sustain nature: but however frugal I might be, I consumed them all.
I then fell into a sweet sleep. I cannot tell whether I slept long,
but when I awoke I was surprised to find myself in an open country,
near a bank of the river, to which my raft was fastened, and in the
midst of a large concourse of blacks. I rose as soon as I perceived
them, and saluted them; they spoke to me, but I could not understand
their language.
At this moment I felt so transported with joy, that I could scarcely
believe myself awake. Being at length convinced that it was not a
dream, I exclaimed in these Arabic words, “Invoke the Almighty,
and he will come to thy assistance; thou needst not care for ought
besides. Close thine eyes, and while thou sleepest, God will change
thy fortune from bad to good.”
One of the blacks, who understood Arabic, having heard me pronounce
these words, advanced towards me, and spoke as follows:--
“Brother,” said he, “be not surprised at seeing us; we live in
this country, and we came hither to-day to water our fields from
this river, which flows from the neighbouring mountain, by cutting
canals to admit a passage for the water.
“We observed that the current bore something along, and we
immediately ran to the bank to see what it was, and perceived this
raft; one of us instantly swam to it, and conducted it to shore. We
fastened it as you see, and were waiting for you to wake. We entreat
you to relate to us your history, which must be very extraordinary;
tell us how you could venture on this river, and from whence you
come.” I first requested him to give me some food, after which I
promised to satisfy their curiosity.
They produced several kinds of meat, and when I had satisfied my
hunger, I related to them all that had happened to me, which they
appeared to listen to with great admiration. As soon as I had
finished my history, their interpreter told me, that I had
astonished them with my relation, and I must go myself to the king,
to recount my adventures; for they were of too extraordinary a
nature to be repeated by any one but by him to whom they had
happened. I replied that I was ready to do any thing they wished.
The blacks then sent for a horse, which arrived shortly after; they
placed me on it, and whilst some walked by my side to show me the
way, others, of a more robust make, hawled the raft out of the
water, and carried it on their shoulders, with the bales of rubies,
and followed me.
We went together to the city of Serendid, for this was the name of
the island: and the blacks presented me to their king. I approached
his throne, where he was seated, and saluted him, as it is usual to
accost the kings of India; that is to say, I prostrated myself at
his feet, and kissed the earth. The prince made me rise, and
receiving me with an affable air, he placed me by his side. He first
asked me my name; I replied, that I was called Sindbad, and surnamed
the sailor, from having made several voyages; and added, that I was
a citizen of Bagdad. “But,” replied he, “how then came you
into my dominions, from whence are you arrived?”
I concealed nothing from the king, and related to him what you have
just heard; he was so pleased with it, that he ordered the history
of my adventures to be written in letters of gold, that it might be
preserved amongst the archives of his kingdom. The raft was then
produced, and the bales were opened in his presence. He admired the
aloe-wood and ambergris, but above all the rubies and emeralds, as
he had none in his treasury equal to them in value.
Perceiving that he examined my precious stones with pleasure, and
that he looked repeatedly at the rarest of them, I prostrated myself
before him, and took the liberty of saying, “Sire, not only my
person is at your commands, but the cargo of my raft also, if your
majesty will do me the honour of accepting it, and disposing of it
as you think fit.” He smiled, and replied, that he did not desire
any thing which belonged to me; for as God had given it me I ought
not to be deprived of it; that instead of diminishing my riches, he
should add to them; and that when I left his dominions I should
carry with me proofs of his liberality. I could only reply to this
by praying for his prosperity, and by praising his generosity.
He ordered one of his officers to attend me, and gave me servants to
wait upon me at his own expence. The officers faithfully fulfilled
the charge they were intrusted with, and conveyed all the bales to
the place destined for my lodging.
I went every day at certain hours to pay my court to the king, and
employed the rest of the time in seeing the city, and whatever was
most worthy of my attention.
The island of Serendid is situated exactly under the equinoctial
line, so that the days and nights are of equal length. It is eighty
parasangs [8] long and as many in breadth. The principal town is
situated at the extremity of a beautiful valley, formed by a
mountain, which is in the middle of the island, and which is by far
the highest in the world; it is discernible at sea within three days
navigation of it. Rubies and many sorts of minerals are found in it,
and most of the rocks are formed of emery, which is a sort of
metallic stone used for cutting precious stones.
All kinds of rare and curious plants and trees, particularly the
cedar and cocoa-tree, grow here in great abundance, and there are
pearl-fisheries on the coast, at the mouth of the rivers; some of
its valleys also produce diamonds. I made a devotional journey up
the mountain, to the spot where Adam was placed on his banishment
from Paradise; and I had the curiosity to ascend to the summit.
When I came back to the city, I entreated the king to grant me
permission to return to my native country, which he did in the most
obliging and honourable manner. He compelled me to receive a rich
present, which was taken from his treasury; and when I went to take
my leave, he deposited in my care another still more considerable
than the first, and at the same time gave me a letter for the
Commander of the Believers, our sovereign lord, saying, “I beg you
to present from me this letter, and this present to the Caliph
Haroun Alraschid, and to assure him of my friendship.” I took the
present and the letter, with the greatest respect, and promised his
majesty to execute the orders with which he was pleased to honour
me, with the greatest punctuality. Before I embarked, the king sent
for the captain and the merchants with whom I was to sail, and
charged them to pay me all possible attention.
The letter of the king of Serendid was written on the skin of a
certain animal, highly prized in that country on account of its
rareness. The colour of it approaches to yellow. The letter itself
was in characters of azure, and it contained the following words in
the Indian language:
THE KING OF THE INDIES, WHO IS PRECEDED BY A THOUSAND ELEPHANTS; WHO
LIVES IN A PALACE, THE ROOF OF WHICH GLITTERS WITH THE LUSTRE OF AN
HUNDRED THOUSAND RUBIES, AND WHO POSSESSES IN HIS TREASURY TWENTY
THOUSAND CROWNS ENRICHED WITH DIAMONDS, TO THE CALIPH HAROUN
ALRASCHID.
“Although the present that we send you be inconsiderable, yet
receive it as a brother and a friend, in consideration of the
friendship we bear you in our heart; and we feel happy in having an
opportunity of testifying it to you. We ask the same share in your
affections, as we hope we deserve it; being of a rank equal to that
you hold. We salute you as a brother. Farewell.”
The present consisted, first, of a vase made of one single ruby,
pierced and worked into a cup of half a foot in height, and an inch
thick, filled with fine round pearls, all weighing half a drachm
each: secondly, the skin of a serpent, which had scales as large as
a common piece of money, the peculiar property of which was to
preserve those who lay on it from all disease: thirdly, fifty
thousand drachms of the most exquisite aloe-wood, together with
thirty grains of camphor as large as a pistachio-nut; and lastly,
all this was accompanied by a female slave of the most enchanting
beauty, whose clothes were covered with jewels.
The ship set sail, and after a long though fortunate voyage, we
landed at Balsora, from whence I returned to Bagdad. The first thing
I did after my arrival, was to execute the commission I had been
intrusted with. I took the letter of the king of Serendid, and
presented myself at the gate of the Commander of the Faithful,
followed by the beautiful slave, and some of my family, who carried
the presents which had been committed to my care. I mentioned the
reason of my appearance there, and I was immediately conducted
before the throne of the caliph. I prostrated myself at his feet,
and having made a short speech, gave him the letter and the present.
When he had read the contents, he inquired of me whether it was true
that the king of Serendid was as rich and powerful as he reported
himself to be in his letter. I prostrated myself a second time, and
when I arose, “Commander of the Faithful,” said I, “I can
assure your majesty, that he does not exaggerate his riches and
grandeur; I have been witness to it. Nothing can excite greater
admiration than the magnificence of his palace. When this prince
wishes to appear in public, a throne is prepared for him on the back
of an elephant; on this he sits and proceeds between two files,
composed of his ministers, favourites, and others belonging to the
court. Before him, on the same elephant, sits an officer with a
golden lance in his hand, and behind the throne another stands with
a pillar of gold, on the top of which is placed an emerald about
half a foot long and an inch thick. He is preceded by a guard of a
thousand men, habited in silk and gold stuffs, and mounted on
elephants richly caparisoned.
“While the king is on his march, the officer, who sits before him
on the elephant, from time to time cries with a loud voice, ‘This
is the great monarch, the powerful and tremendous sultan of the
Indies, whose palace is covered with a hundred thousand rubies, and
who possesses twenty thousand diamond crowns. This is the crowned
monarch, greater than ever was Solima, or the great Mihragè.’
“After he has pronounced these words, the officer, who is behind
the throne, cries, in his turn, ‘This monarch, who is so great and
powerful, must die, must die, must die.’ The first officer then
replies, ‘Hail to him who lives and dies not.’
“The king of Serendid is so just, that there are no judges in his
capital, nor in any other part of his dominions; his people do not
want any. They know and observe with exactness the true principles
of justice, and never deviate from their duty; therefore tribunals
and magistrates would be useless amongst them.” The caliph was
satisfied with my discourse, and said, “The wisdom of this king
appears in his letter; and after what you have told me I must
confess that such wisdom is worthy of such subjects, and such
subjects worthy of it.” At these words he dismissed me with a rich
present.
Sindbad here finished his discourse, and his visitors retired; but
Hindbad, as usual, received his hundred sequins. They returned the
following day, and Sindbad began the relation of his seventh and
last Voyage in these terms: