Section 16, Part B, of the Arabian Nights Entertainment's Volume 1. This is a LibriVox recording, or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Lucy LaFaro, New South Wales, Australia. The Arabian Nights Entertainment's Volume 1 by Anonymous. Translated by Dr Jonathan Scott. Section 16, Part B. One of the gentlemen answered on behalf of the rest. Do not wonder at our conduit in regard to yourself and that he there too we have not granted your request. It is out of kindness to save you the pain of being reduced to the same condition with ourselves. If you have a mind to try our unfortunate destiny, you need but speak and we will give you the satisfaction you desire. I told them I was resolved on it. Let what would be the consequence. Once more, said the gentlemen, we advise you to restrain your curiosity. It will cost you the loss of your right eye. No matter, I replied, be assured that if such a misfortune before me, I will not impute it to you, but to myself. He father represented to me that when I had lost an eye, I must not hope to remain with them. If I were so disposed, because their number was complete and no addition could be made to it. I told them that it would be a great satisfaction to me, never to part from such agreeable gentlemen. But if there were a necessity for it, I was ready to submit and let it cost me what it would. I begged them to grant my request. The ten gentlemen perceiving that I was so fixed in my resolution, took a sheep, killed it, and after they had taken off the skin, presented me with a knife, telling me it would be useful to me on an occasion which they would soon explain. We must sew you in this skin, said they, and then leave you. Upon which a bird of a monstrous size, caught a rock, will appear in the air, and, taking you for a sheep, will pounce upon you, and soar with you to the sky. But let not that alarm you. He will descend with you again, and lay you on top of a mountain. When you find yourself on the ground, cut the skin with your knife and throw it off. As soon as the rock sees you, he will fly away for fear and leave you at liberty. Do not stay, but walk on till you come to a spacious castle covered with plates of gold, large emeralds, and other precious stones. Go up to the gate which always stands open and walk in. We have each of us been in that castle, but will tell you nothing of what we saw, or what we fell us there. You will learn by your own experience. All that we can inform you is that it has cost each of us our right eye. And the penance which you have been witness to is what we are obliged to observe in consequence of having been there. The history of each of us is so full of extraordinary adventures that a large volume would not contain them. But we cannot explain ourselves farther. When the gentleman had thus spoken, I wrapped myself in the sheep's skin held fast the knife which was given to me and after the young gentleman had been at the trouble to sow the skin about me, they retired into the hall and left me alone. The rock they spoke of soon arrived.  When I found myself on the ground, I cut the skin with the knife and throwing it off. The rock at the side of me flew away. This rock is a white bird of a monstrous size. His strength is such that he can lift up elephants from the plains and carry them to the tops of mountains where he feeds upon them. Being impatient to reach the castle, I lost no time but made so much haste that I got dither in half a day's journey and I must say that I found it surpassed the description they had given me of its magnificence. The gate being open, I entered a square court so large that there were round it ninety-nine gates of wood of sanders and allows and one of gold without reckoning those of several superb staircases that led to apartments above besides many more which I could not see. The hundred doors I spoke of opened into gardens or storehouses full of riches or into apartments which contained many things wonderful to be seen. I saw a door standing open just before me through which I entered into a large hall. Here I found forty young ladies of such perfect beauty as imagination could not surpass. They were all most sumptuously apparelled. As soon as they saw me, they arose and without waiting my salutations said to me, with demonstrations of joy, noble sir, you are welcome, and one thus addressed me in the name of the rest. We have long been in expectation of such a gentleman as you. Your main assures us that you are master of all the good qualities we can desire and we hope you will not find our company disagreeable or unworthy of yours. They obliged me, notwithstanding all the opposition I could make, to sit down on a seat that was higher than their own and when I expressed my uneasiness, that is your place, said they, you are at present our lord, master and judge and we are your slaves ready to obey your commands. Nothing, madam, so much astonished me as the solicitude and eagerness of those fair ladies to do me all possible service. One brought hot water to wash my feet.  Others brought me all kinds of necessaries and change of apparel. Others again brought in a magnificent collation and the rest came with glasses in their hands to fill me delicious wines. Or in good order and in the most charming manner possible, I ate and drank, after which the ladies placed themselves about me and desired an account of my travels. I gave them a full relation of my adventures which lasted till night came on. When I had finished my narrative to the forty ladies, some of them who sat nearest me stayed to keep me company whilst the rest, seeing it was dark, rose to fetch tapers. They brought a prodigious number which by the wonderful light they emitted exhibited the resemblance of day and they disposed them with so much taste as to produce the most beautiful effect possible. Other ladies covered a table with dry fruits, sweet meats and everything proper to relish the liquor. A sideboard was set out with several sorts of wine and other liquors. Some of the ladies brought in musical instruments and when everything was ready they invited me to sit down to supper. The ladies sat down with me and we continued a long while at our repast. They that worked to play upon the instruments and sing arose and formed a most charming concert. The others began a kind of ball and danced to and to, couple after couple with admirable grace. It was past midnight ere these amusements ended. At length one of the ladies said to me, You are doubtless worried by the journey you have taken today. It is time for you to retire to rest. Your lodging is prepared. But before you depart, choose which one of us you would like best to be your bedfellow. I answered that I knew not how to make my own choice for they were all equally beautiful, witty and worthy of my respects and service and that I would not be guilty of so much incivility as to prefer one before another. The lady who had spoken to me before answered, We are very well satisfied of your civility and find it is your fear to create jealousy among us that occasions your diffidence. But let not this hinder you. We assure you that the good fortune of her whom you choose shall cause no feeling of the kind for we are agreed among ourselves that every one of us shall in her turn have the same honour and when forty days are past to begin again. Therefore make your selection and lose no time to take the repose you need. I was obliged to yield to their entreaties and offered my hand to the lady who spoke and who in turn gave me hers. We were conducted to a sumptuous apartment where they left us and then everyone retired to her own chamber. I was scarcely dressed next morning when the other thirty-nine ladies came into my chamber or in different dresses from those they had worn the day before. They bade me good morrow and inquired after my health after which they conveyed me to a bath and washed me themselves and whether I would or no served me with everything I needed and then I came out of the bath. They made me put on another suit much richer than the former. We passed the whole day almost constantly at table and when it was bedtime they prayed me again to make choice of one of them for my companion. In short madam, not to weary you with repetitions I must tell you that I continued a whole year among those forty ladies and received them into my bed one after another. And during all the time of this voluptuous life we met not with the least kind of trouble. When the year was expired I was greatly surprised that these forty ladies instead of appearing with their usual cheerfulness to ask me how I did entered my chamber one morning all in tears. They embraced me with great tenderness one after another saying a due, dear prince, a due, for we must leave you. Their tears affected. I prayed them to tell me the reason of their grief and of the separation they spoke of. Fair ladies, let me know, said I, if it be in my power to comfort you or if my assistance can be any way useful to you. Instead of returning a direct answer would, said they, we had never seen or known you. Several gentlemen have honoured us with their company before you but never one of them had that comeliness, that sweetness, that pleasantness of humour and that merit which you possess. We know not how to live without you. After they had spoken these words they began to weep bitterly. My dear ladies, said I, have the kindness not to keep me any longer in suspense. Tell me the cause of your sorrow. Alas, said they, what but the necessity of parting from you could thus afflict us. Perhaps we shall never see you more. But if it be your wish, we should and if you possess sufficient self-command for the purpose it is not impossible but that we may again enjoy the pleasure of your company. Ladies, I replied, I understand not what you mean. Pray explain yourselves more clearly. Well, said one of them, to satisfy you we must equate you that we are all princesses, daughters of kings. We live here together in the manner you have seen. But at the end of every year we are obliged to be absent forty days upon indispensable duties which we are not permitted to reveal. And afterwards we return again to this castle. Yesterday was the last of the year. Today we must leave you and this circumstance is the cause of our grief. Before we depart we will leave you the keys of everything especially those of the hundred doors where you will find enough to satisfy your curiosity and to relieve your solitude during our absence. But for your benefit and our own personal interests we recommend you to forbear opening the golden door for if you do we shall never see you again and the apprehension of this augments our grief. We hope nevertheless that you will attend to our advice.  Therefore take heed.  We conjure you to avoid the indiscretion and to give us the satisfaction finding you here again at the end of forty days. We would willingly take the key of the golden door with us but that it would be an affront to a prince like you to question your discretion and firmness. This speech of the fair princesses grieved me extremely. I omitted not to declare how much the absence would afflict me. I thanked them for their good advice assuring them that I would follow it and expressed my willingness to perform what was much more difficult to secure the happiness of passing the rest of my days with ladies of such beauty and accomplishments. We separated with much tenderness and after I had embraced them all they departed and I remained alone in the castle. The agreeableness of their company, their hospitality, their musical entertainments and other amusements had so much absorbed my attention during the whole year that I neither had time nor desire to see the wonders contained in this enchanted palace. I did not even notice a thousand curious objects that every day offered themselves to my view. So much was I charmed by the beauty of those ladies and the pleasure they seemed to take in promoting my gratification. Their departure sensibly afflicted me and though their absence was to be only forty days it seemed to me an age to live without them. I determined not to forget the important advice they had given me not to open the golden door but as I was permitted to satisfy my curiosity in everything else I took the first of the keys of the other doors which were hung in regular order. I opened the first door and entered in an orchard which I believed the universe could not equal. I could not imagine anything to surpass it except that which our religion promises us after death. The symmetry, the neatness, the admirable order of the trees the abundance and diversity of unknown fruits their freshness and beauty delighted my senses. Nor must I omit to inform you that this delicious orchard was watered in a very particular manner. There were channels so artificially and proportionately dug that they carried water in considerable quantities to the roots of such trees as required much moisture. Others conveyed it in smaller quantities to those whose fruits were already formed. Some carried still less to those whose fruits were swelling and others carried only so much as was just requisite to water those which had their fruits come to perfection and only wanted to be ripened. They far exceeded in size the ordinary fruits of our gardens. Lastly those channels that watered the trees whose fruit was ripe had no more moisture than just what would preserve them from withering. I should never have tired of in examining and admiring so delightful a place nor have left it had I not conceived a still higher idea of the other things which I had not seen.  I shut the door and opened the next. Instead of an orchard I found here a flower garden which was no less extraordinary in its kind. It contained a spacious plot not watered so profusely as the former but with great niceness furnishing no more water than just what each flower required. The roses, jesemines, violets, daffodils, hyacinths, anemones, tulips, pinks, lilies and an infant number of flowers which did not grow in other places but at certain times were there flourishing all at once and nothing could be more delicious than the fragrant smell which they emitted. I opened the third door and found a large aviary paved with marble of several fine and uncommon colours. The trellis work was made of sandalwood and wood of aloes. It contained a vast number of nightingales, gold finches, canary birds, larks and other rare singing birds which I had never heard of and the vessels that held their seed and water were of the most precious jasper or agate. Besides, this aviary was so exceedingly neat that considering its extent I judged there must be not less than a hundred persons to keep it clean. But all this while not one appeared either here or in the gardens I had before examined and yet I could not perceive a weed or anything superfluous or offensive to sight. The sun went down and I retired, charmed with the chirping notes of the multitude of birds who then began to perch upon such places as suited them or reposed during the night. I went to my chamber resolving on the following days to open all the rest of the doors excepting that of gold. The next day I opened the fourth if what I had seen before was capable of exciting my surprise what I now beheld transported me into perfect ecstasy. I entered a large court surrounded with buildings of an admirable structure the description of which I will omit to avoid prolixity. This building had forty doors all open and through each of them was an entrance into a treasury. Several of these treasuries contained as much wealth as the largest kingdoms. The first was stored with heaps of pearls and what is almost incredible the number of those stones which are most precious and as large as pigeon's eggs exceeded the number of those of the ordinary size. In the second treasury there were diamonds, carbuncles and rubies in the third, emeralds in the fourth, ingots of gold in the fifth, money in the sixth, ingots of silver and in the two following, money. The rest contained amethysts, chrysalites, topazes, opals, turquoise and hyacinths with all the other stones known to us without mentioning agate, jasper, cordelian and coral of which there was a storehouse filled not only with branches but with whole trees. Filled with astonishment and admiration at the view of all these riches I exclaimed if all the treasures of the kings of the universe were gathered together in one place they could not equal the value of these. How fortunate am I to possess all this wealth with so many admirable princesses. I will not tire you, madam with the detail of all the other objects of curiosity and value which I discovered on the following day. I shall only say that thirty-nine days afforded me but just as much time as was necessary to open ninety-one doors and to admire all that presented itself to my view so that there was only the hundredth door left which I was forbidden to open. The fortieth day after the departure of those charming princesses arrived and had I but retained no much self-command as I ought to have had. I should have been this day the happiest of all mankind whereas now I am the most unfortunate. They were to return the next day and the pleasure of seeing them again ought to have restrained my curiosity but through my weakness which I shall ever repent I yielded to the temptations of the evil spirit who allowed me no rest and the temptations I have since suffered. I opened that fatal door but before I had moved my foot to enter I smelled pleasant enough but too powerful for my senses made me faint away. However I soon recovered but instead of taking warning from this incident to close the door and restrain my curiosity after waiting some time for the external air to correct the effluvia of the place and felt myself no longer incommodated. I found myself in a spacious vaulted apartment the pavement of which was strewed with saffron. It was illuminated by several large tapers which emitted the perfume of aloes and ambergris and were placed in candlesticks of solid gold. This light was augmented by gold and silver lamps burning perfumed oils of various kinds. Among the many objects that attracted my attention was a black horse of the most perfect symmetry and beauty that ever was beheld. I approached in order the better to observe him and found he had on a saddle and bridle of massive gold curiously wrought. One part of his manger was filled with clean barley and sesame and the other with rose water. I looked in the mirror and led him out to view him by daylight. I mounted and endeavoured to make him move but finding he did not stir I struck him with a switch I had taken up in his magnificent stable. He had no sooner felt the blow than he began to neigh in a most horrible manner and extending his wings which I had not before perceived flew up with me into the air. My thoughts were fully awake and considering the fear that had seized me I sat well. At length he directed his course towards the earth and lighted upon the terrace of a castle and without giving me time to dismount shook me out of the saddle with such force as to throw me behind him and with the end of his tail he struck out my eye. Thus it was I became blind of one eye. I then recollected the predictions of the gentleman. The horse again took wing and soon disappeared. I got up much vexed at the misfortune I had brought upon myself. I walked upon the terrace covering my eye with one of my hands for it pained me exceedingly and then descended and entered into a hall. I soon discovered by the ten surfers in a circle and the eleventh in the middle, lower than the rest that I was in the castle in which I had been carried by the rock. The ten young gentlemen were not in the hall when I entered but came in soon after attended by the old man. They seemed not at all surprised to see me, nor at the loss of my eye but said, we are sorry that we cannot congratulate you on your return as we could wish but we are not the cause of your misfortune. I should do you wrong I replied, I lay it to your charge. I have only myself to accuse. If they said it be a subject of consolation to the afflicted to know that others share their sufferings you have in us this alleviation of your misfortune. All that has happened to you we have also endured we each of us tasted the same pleasures during a year and we had still continued to enjoy them had we not opened the golden door when the princesses were absent you have been no wiser than we and have incurred the same punishment. We would gladly receive you into our company to join us in the penance to which we are bound and the duration of which we know not but we have already stated to you the reasons that render this impossible depart therefore and proceed to the court of Baghdad where you will meet with the person who is to decide your destiny. After they had explained to me the road I was to travel I departed. On the road I caused my beard and eyebrows to be shaven and assumed a calendar's habit. I have had a long journey but at last I arrived this evening and met these my brother calendars at the gate being strangers to myself. We were mutually surprised at one another to see that we were all blind of the same eye but we had not leisure to converse long on the subject of our misfortunes. We have only had time enough to bring us hither to implore those favours which you have been generously pleased to grant us. The third calendar having finished this relation of his adventures Zoverdi addressed him as fellow calendars thus go wherever you think proper. You are at liberty but one of them answered Madam we beg you to pardon our curiosity and permit us to hear the stories of those gentlemen who have not yet spoken. Then the lady turned to the caliph the vizier Jav fear and Mishra and said to them it is now your turn to relate your adventures and therefore speak. The grand vizier who had all along been the spokesman answered Zoverdi Madam in order to obey you we need only repeat what we have already said we are merchants of Masool come to Baghdad to sell our merchandise which lies in the khan where we lodge we dine today with several other persons of our condition at a merchant's house of this city after he had treated us with choice dainties and excellent wines sent for men and women dancers and musicians the great noise we made brought in the watch who arrested some of the company and we had the good fortune to escape but it being already late and the door of our khan shut up we knew not wither to retire we chanced as we passed along this street to hear mirth at your house determined to knock at your gate this is all the account that we can give you in obedience to your commands Zoverdi having heard this statement seemed to hesitate what to say which the calendars perceiving prayed her to grant the same favour to the three Masool merchants as she had done to them well then said she you shall all be equally oblige to me I pardon you all provided you immediately depart Zoverdi having given this command in a tone that signified she would be obeyed the caliph the vizier mesura the three calendars and the porter departed without saying one word for the presence of the seven slaves with their weapons awed them into silence as soon as they had quitted the house and the gate was closed after them the caliph said to the calendars without making himself known you gentlemen who are newly come to town which way do you design to go since it is not yet day it is this they replied that it perplexes us follow us resume the caliph and we will convey you out of danger he then whispered to the vizier take them along with you and tomorrow morning bring them to me I will cause their history to be writing for it deserves a place in the annals of my reign the vizier japhir took the three calendars along with him the porter went to his quarters and the caliph and the mesura returned to the palace the caliph went to bed but could not sleep being perplexed by the extraordinary things he had seen and heard but above all he was most concerned to know the history of Zoverdi what reason she could have to be so severe to the two black bitches and why many had her bosom so scarred day began to appear whilst he was thinking upon these things he arose and went to his council chamber and sat upon his throne the grand vizier entered soon after and paid his respects as usual vizier said the caliph the affairs that we have to consider at present are not very pressing that of the three ladies and the two black bitches is the most urgent my mind cannot rest till I am thoroughly satisfied in all those matters that have so much surprise me go bring those ladies and the calendars at the same time make haste and remember that I impatiently expect your return the vizier who knew his masters quick and fiery temper hastened to say and went to the ladies to whom he communicated in a civil way the orders with which he was charged to bring them before the caliph without taking any notice of what had passed the night before at their house the ladies put on their veils and went with the vizier as he passed his own house he took along with him the three calendars who in the interval had learnt that they had seen and spoken with the caliph without knowing him the vizier conducted them to the palace with so much expedition that the caliph was much pleased this prince that he might observe proper decorum before the officers of his court who were then present ordered that the ladies should be placed behind the hangings of the door which led to his own chamber and placed the three calendars near his person who by their respectful behaviour sufficiently that they were not ignorant before whom they had the honour to appear when the ladies were thus disposed of the caliph turned towards them and said when I acquaint you that I was last night in your house disguised in a merchant's habit you may probably be alarmed lest you may have given me a fence you may perhaps believe that I have sent for you for no other purpose than to shoe some marks of my resentment but be not afraid you may rest assured that I have forgotten all that has passed and am well satisfied with your conduct I wish that all the ladies of Baghdad had as much discretion as you evinced before me I shall always remember the moderation with which you acted after the rudeness of which you were guilty I was then a merchant of Masool but I am at present Haroon al-Rashid the fifth caliph of the glorious house of Abbas and hold the place of our great prophet I have only sent for you to know who you are and to ask for what reason one of you after severely whipping the two black bitches wept with them and I am no less curious to know why another of you has her bosom so full of scars though the caliph pronounced these words distinctly the three ladies heard him well enough yet the vizier out of ceremony repeated them so beady after the caliph by his address had encouraged her began thus End of Section 16 Part B LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Section 17 The Story of Zub camino Commander of the Faithful the relations which I am about to give your majesty singularly extraordinary the two black bitches and myself are sisters, by the same father and mother and I shall acquaint you by what strange accident they came foes. The two ladies, who lived with me, and are now here, are also my sisters by my father's side, but by another mother. She that has the scars upon her breast is named Amene. The name of the other is Safi, and my own Zubaita. After our father's death, the property that he left was equally divided among us, and as soon as these two sisters received their portions, they left me to live with their mother. My other two sisters and myself stayed with our mother, who was then alive, and who, when she afterwards died, left each of us a thousand sequins. As soon as we had received our portion, the eldest two, for I am the youngest, married, and left me alone. Some time after, my eldest sister's husband sold all that he had, and with that money, and my sister's portion, they went both into Africa, where her husband, by riotous living and debauchery, spent all, and finding himself reduced to poverty, found a pretext for divorcing my sister and putting her away. She returned to this city, and having suffered incredible hardships, by the way, came to me in so lamentable a condition that it would have moved the hardest of hearts to compassion to behold her. I received her with every possible tenderness, and, inquiring into the cause of her distress, she told me with tears how inhumanely her husband had behaved towards her. Her misfortunes affected me, and I mingled my tears with hers. I took her to a bath, clothed her with my own apparel, and thus addressed her.  During your absence, God has blessed the portion that fell to my share, and the employment I follow of breeding silkworms. Assure yourself there is nothing I have but is at your service, and as much at your disposal as my own. We lived very comfortably together for some months, as we were one day conversing about our third sister, and wondering we received no intelligence of her, she came in as bad condition as the eldest. Her husband had treated her after the same manner, and I received her likewise with the same affection as I had done the former. Sometime after, my two sisters, on the pretense that they would not be chargeable to me, told me they intended to marry again. I observed, that if putting me to expense was the only reason, they might lay those thoughts aside and be welcome to remain, for what I had would be sufficient to maintain us, all three, in a manner answerable to our condition. But I added, I rather believe you wish to marry again. I shall feel much surprised if such be the case. After the experience you have had of the little satisfaction there is in wedlock, is it possible you dare venture a second time? You know how rare it is to meet with a husband perfectly virtuous and deserving. Believe what I say, and let us live together as comfortably as we can. All my persuasion was in vain. They were resolved to marry, and soon accomplished their wishes. But after some months were passed, they returned again, and begged my pardon a thousand times for not following my advice. You are our youngest sister, they said. But abundantly more wise than we. If you will vouch safe to receive us once more into your house, and account us your slaves, we shall never commit a similar fault again. My answer was, dear sisters, I have not altered my mind with respect to you since we last parted. Come in again, and take part of what I have. Upon this I embraced them, and we lived together as before. We continued thus a whole year in perfect love and harmony, seeing that God had increased my small stock, I projected a voyage to embark some of it in a commercial speculation. To this end I went with my two sisters to Basra, where I bought a ship ready fitted for sea, and laden her with such merchandise as I had carried from Baghdad. We set sail with a fair wind, and soon cleared the Persian Gulf. When we had reached the open sea, we steered our course to the Indies, and the twentieth day saw land. It was a very high mountain, at the bottom of which we perceived a great town, having a fresh gale, we soon reached the harbour and cast anchor. I had not patience to wait till my sisters were dressed to go along with me, but went ashore alone in a boat, making directly to the gate of the town. I saw there a great number of men upon guard, some sitting, others standing, with sticks in their hands, and they had all such dreadful countenances that I was greatly alarmed. But perceiving they remained stationary, and did not so much as move their eyes, I took courage and went nearer, when I found that they were all turned into stones. I entered the town, and passed through several streets, where, at different intervals, stood men in various attitudes, but all motionless and petrified. In the quarter inhabited by the merchants I found most of the shops shut, and in such as were open I likewise found the people petrified. Having reached a vast square, in the heart of the city, I perceived a large folding gate, covered with plates of gold, which stood open. A curtain of silk stuff seemed to be drawn before it, a lamp hung over the entrance. After I had surveyed the building, I made no doubt but it was the palace of the prince who reigned over that country. And being much astonished that I had met with no living creature, I approached in hopes to find some. I lifted the curtain, and was surprised at beholding no one but the guards in the vestibule all petrified, some standing, some sitting, and some lying. I came to a large court, where I saw before me a stately building, the windows of which were enclosed in gates of messy gold. I concluded it to be the queen's apartments. I entered, and in a large hall I found several black eunuchs turned into stone. I went from thence into a room richly furnished, where I perceived a lady in the same situation. I knew it to be the queen by the crown of gold on her head, and a necklace of pearls about her neck, each of them as large as a nut. I approached her, to have a nearer view of it, and never be held finer objects. I stood some time admiring the riches and magnificence of the room. But above all, the carpet, the cushions, and the sofas were all ornamented with Indian stuff of gold, and representations of men and beasts in silver admirably executed. I quitted the chamber where the petrified queen was, and passed through several other apartments and closets richly furnished. And at last came into a large room, where there was a throne of massive gold, raised several steps above the floor, and enriched with large encased emeralds. And upon the throne there was a bed of rich stuff embroidered with pearls. What surprised me most was a sparkling light which came from above the bed. Being curious to know once it proceeded, I ascended the steps, and lifting up my head, saw a diamond as large as the egg of an ostrich, lying upon a low stool. It was so pure that I could not find the least blemish in it, and it sparkled with so much brilliancy that when I saw it by daylight I could not endure its luster. At the head of the bed there stood on each side a lighted flambeau, but for what I could not comprehend. However, it made me imagine that there was some living creature in this place, for I could not believe that the torches continued thus burning of themselves. Several other rarities detained my curiosity in this room, which was inestimable in value, where it only fit the diamond I mentioned. The doors being all open, or but half shut, I surveyed some other apartments that were as beautiful as those that I had already seen. I looked into the offices and store rooms, which were full of riches. In short, the wonders that everywhere appeared so wholly engrossed my attention that I forgot my ship and my sisters and thought of nothing but gratifying my curiosity. In the meantime, night came on, which reminded me that it was time to retire. I proposed to return the way I had entered, but I could not find it. I lost myself among the apartments, and perceiving I was come back again to the large room where the throne, the couch, the large diamond, and the torches stood, I resolved to take my night's lodging there, and to depart the next morning early to get aboard my ship. I laid myself down upon a couch, not without some dread to be alone in a desolate place, and this fear hindered my sleep. About midnight, I heard a voice that was of a man reading the Quran after the same manner and in the same tone as it is read in our mosques. Being extremely glad to hear it, I immediately arose, and, taking a torch in my hand, passed from one chamber to another on that side from once the sound proceeded. I came to the closet door and stood still, not doubting that it came from thence. I set down my torch upon the ground, and looking through the window found it to be an oratory. It had, as we have in our mosques, a niche to direct us whether we are to turn to say our prayers. There were also lamps hung up, and two candlesticks with large tapers of white wax burning. I saw a little carpet lay down like those we have to kneel upon when we say our prayers, and a comely young man sat on this carpet reading with great devotion the Quran which lay before him on a desk. At this site I was transported with admiration. I wondered how it came to pass that he should be the only living creature in a town where all the people were turned to stones, and I did not doubt but there was something in the circumstances very extraordinary. The door being only half shut, I opened it, went in, and standing upright before the niche, I repeated this prayer aloud. Praise be to God, who has favoured us with the happy voyage, and may he be graciously pleased to protect us in the same manner until we arrive again in our country. Hear me, O Lord, and grant my request. The young man turned his eyes towards me, and said, My good lady, pray, let me know who you are, and what has brought you to this desolate city. And in return I will tell you who I am, what has happened to me, and why the inhabitants of this city are reduced to the state you see them in, and why I alone am safe in the midst of such a terrible disaster. I told him in a few words once I had come, what had made me undertake the voyage, and how I safely arrived at the port after twenty days sailing. When I had done, I prayed him to perform his promise, and told him how much I was struck by the frightful desolation which I had seen in the city. Lady, said the young man, have patience for a moment. At these words he shut the Quran, put it in a rich case, and laid it in the niche. I took the opportunity to observe him, and perceiving in him so much good nature and beauty, I felt emotions I had never known before. He made me sit down by him, and before he began his discourse I could not forbear saying, with an air that discovered the sentiments I felt. Admiral, sir, dear object of my soul, I can scarcely have patience to wait for an account of all these wonderful objects that I have seen since I came into your city, and my curiosity cannot be satisfied too soon. Therefore pray, sir, let me know by what miracle you alone are left alive among so many persons who have died in so strange a manner. Madam, said the young man, by the prayer you just now addressed to him, you have given me to understand that you have a knowledge of the true God. I will acquaint you with the most remarkable effect of his greatness and power. You must know that this city was the metropolis of a mighty kingdom over which the Sultan, my father, reigned. That prince, his whole court, the inhabitants of the city, and all his other subjects, were Magi, worshippers of fire, and of Nardun, the ancient king of the giants who rebelled against God. Though I was born of an idolatrous father and mother, I had the good fortune in my youth to have a governess who was a good Muslim. Dear Prince, would she off time say? There is but one true God. Take heed that you do not acknowledge and adore any other. She taught me to read Arabic, and the book she gave me to study was the Quran. As soon as I was capable of understanding it, she explained to me all the passages of this excellent book and infused piety into my mind, unknown to my father or any other person. She happened to die, but not before she had perfectly instructed me in all that was necessary to convince me of the truth of the Muslim religion. After her death I persisted with constancy in the belief of its divinity, and I abhor the false God Nardun and the adoration of fire. About three years and some months ago a thundering voice was suddenly sounded so distinctly through the whole city that nobody could miss hearing it. The words were these. Inhabitants abandon the worship of Nardun and of fire and worship the only God who shows mercy. This voice was heard three years successively, but no one was converted. On the last day of that year, at four o'clock in the morning, all the inhabitants were changed in an instant into stone. Everyone in the condition and posture they happened to be in. The Sultan, my father, shared the same fate, for he was metamorphosed into a black stone, as he is to be seen in this palace, and the Queen, my mother, at the like destiny. I am the only person who did not suffer under that heavy judgment, and ever since I have continued to serve God with more fervency than before. I am persuaded, dear lady, that he has sent you hither for my comfort, for which I render him infinite thanks, for I must own that this solitary life is extremely irksome. All these expressions, and particularly the last, greatly increased my love for him. Prince, said I, there is no debt but providence has brought me into your port, to afford you an opportunity to withdraw from this dismal place. The ship I came in may serve in some measure to convince you that I am in some esteem in Baghdad, where I have considerable property, and I dare engage to promise you sanctuary there, until the mighty commander of the faithful, Vice Regent to our prophet whom you acknowledge, show you the honour that is due to your merit. This renowned Prince lives at Baghdad, and as soon as he is informed of your arrival in his capital, you will find that it is not in vain to implore his assistance. It is impossible you can stay any longer in a city where all the objects you must behold renew your grief. My vessel is at your service. Where you may absolutely command as you see fit. He accepted the offer, and we conversed the remainder of the night concerning our embarkation. As soon as it was day we left the palace. We went aboard my ship, where we found my sisters, the captains and the slaves, all much troubled by my absence. After I had presented my sisters to the Prince, I told them what had hindered my return the day before, how I had met with the young Prince, his story, and the cause of the desolation of so fine a city. The seamen were taken up several days in unladen the merchandise I had brought with me, and embarking in its stead all the precious things in the palace, such as jewels, gold, and money. We left the furniture and goods, which consisted of an infinite quantity of plate, etc., because our vessel would not carry it, for it would have required several vessels more to convey to Baghdad all the riches that we might have chosen to take with us. After we had laden the vessel with what we thought most desirable, we took such provisions and water aboard as were necessary for our voyage, for we still had a great deal of those provisions left that we had taken in that Basra. At last we set sail with a wind as favorable as we could wish. The young Prince, my sisters and myself, enjoyed ourselves for some time very agreeably. But alas, this good understanding did not last long, for my sisters grew jealous of the friendship between the Prince and myself, and maliciously asked me one day what we should do with him when we came to Baghdad. I perceived immediately that they put this question on purpose to discover my inclinations. Therefore, resolving to put it off with a jest, I answered, I will take him for my husband, and upon that, turning myself to the Prince, said, Sir, I humbly beg of you to give your consent. For as soon as we come to Baghdad, I desire to offer you my person to be your slave, to do all the service that is in my power and to resign myself wholly to your commands. The Prince replied, I know not, madam, whether you be in jest or no, but for my part I seriously declare before these ladies your sisters, that from this moment I hardly accept your offer, not with any intention to have you as my slave, but as my lady in mistress. Nor will I pretend to have any power over your actions. At these words my sisters changed color, and I could perceive afterwards that they did not love me as before. We entered the Persian Gulf, and had come within a short distance of Basra, where I hoped, considering the fair wind, we might have arrived the day following. When in the night, while I was asleep, my sisters watched their opportunity and threw me overboard. They did the same to the Prince who was drowned. I floated some minutes on the water, and by good fortune or rather miracle I felt ground. I went towards a dark spot, that, by what I could discern, seemed to be land, and proved to be a flat on the coast, which, when day appeared, I found to be a desert island lying about twenty miles from Basra. I soon dried my clothes in the sun, and as I walked along I found several kinds of fruit, and likewise fresh water, which gave me some hopes of preserving my life. I had just laid myself down to rest in the shade, when I perceived a very large winged serpent coming towards me with an irregular waving motion, and hanging at its tongue, which induced me to conclude it had received some injury. I instantly arose and perceived that it was pursued by a larger serpent, which had hold of its tail, and was endeavoring to devour it. This perilous situation of the first serpent excited my pity, and instead of retreating I assumed courage to take up a stone that lay near me, and throw it with all my strength at the other, which I hid upon the head and killed, the other, finding itself at liberty, took wing and flew away. I looked after it for some time till it disappeared. I then sought another shady spot for repose, and fell asleep.  I sat up and asked her who she was. I am, said she, the serpent who you lately delivered from my mortal enemy. I did not know in what better way I could requite the important services you have rendered me than by what I have just done. The treachery of your sisters was well known to me, and to avenge your wrongs. As soon as I was liberated by your generous assistance, I called together several of my companions, fairies like myself, conveyed into your storehouses at Baghdad all the lading of your vessel, and afterwards sunk it.  But this punishment will not suffice, and my will is that you treat them hereafter in the way I shall desireest. As soon as she had spoken the fairy took me under one of her arms, and the two bitches under the other, and conveyed us to my house in Baghdad, where I found in my storehouses all the riches with which my vessel had been laid. Before she left me she delivered to me the two bitches and said, If you would not be changed into a similar form, I command you, in the name of him that governs the sea, to give each of your sisters every night one hundred lashes with a rod, as punishment of the crime they have committed against yourself and the young prince whom they have drowned. I was forced to promise obedience. Since that time I have whipped them every night, though with regret, whereof your Majesty has been a witness. My tears testify with how much sorrow and reluctance I perform my painful duty. And in this your Majesty may see I am more to be pitied than blamed. If there be anything else relating to myself that you desireest to know, my sister Amene will give you full information in the relation of her story. After the caliph had heard Zubaida, with much astonishment, he desired his Grand Vizier to request Amene to acquaint him wherefore her breast was disfigured with so many scars. Amene addressed herself to the caliph, and began her story after this manner. End of Section 17. Commander of the faithful, to avoid repeating what your Majesty has already heard in my sister's story, I shall only add that after my mother had taken a house for herself to live in, during her widowhood, she gave me in marriage with the portion my father left me to a gentleman who had one of the best estates in the city. I had scarcely been a year married when I became a widow, and was left in possession of all my husband's property, which amounted to ninety thousand sequins. The interest of this money was sufficient to maintain me very honourably. When the first six months of my mourning was over, I caused to be made for me ten different dresses of such magnificence that each came to a thousand sequins, and at the end of the year I began to wear them. One day, while I was alone engaged in my domestic affairs, I was told that a lady desired to speak to me. I gave orders that she should be admitted. She was a person advanced in years. She saluted me by kissing the ground and said to me kneeling, Dear Lady, excuse the freedom I take to trouble you. The confidence I have in your charity makes me thus bold. I must acquaint your ladyship that I have an orphaned daughter, who is to be married this day. She and I are both strangers and have no acquaintance in this town, which much perplexes me, for we wish the numerous family with whom we are going to rely ourselves to think we are not altogether unknown and without credit. Therefore, most beautiful lady, if you were about safe to honour the wedding with your presence, we shall be infinitely obliged, because the ladies of our country, when informed that a lady of your rank has strewn us this respect, will then know that we are not regarded here as unworthy and despised persons. But alas, madam, if you refuse this request, how great will be our mortification, we know not where else to apply. This poor woman's address, which she spoke with tears, moved my compassion. Good woman, said I, do not afflict yourself. I will grant you the favour you desire. Tell me wither I must go, and I will meet you as soon as I am dressed. The old woman was so transported with joy at my answer, that she kissed my feet before I had time to prevent her. My compassionate lady said she rising, God will reward the kindness you have showed to your servants, and make your heart as joyful as you have made theirs. You need not at present trouble yourself. It will be time enough for you to go when I call for you in the evening. So fare well, madam, till I have the honour to see you again. As soon as she was gone I took the suit I liked best, with necklace of large pearls, bracelets, pendants on my ears, and rings set with the finest and most sparkling diamonds. For my mind presaged what would be for me. When the night closed in, the old woman called upon me, with accountants full of joy. She kissed my hands, and said, My dear lady, the relations of my son-in-law, who are the principal ladies of the city, are now met together. You may come when you please. I am ready to conduct you. We immediately set out. She walked before me, and I was followed by a number of my women and slaves, properly dressed for the occasion. We stopped in a wide street, newly swept and watered, at a spacious gate with a lamp, by the light of which I read this inscription in golden letters over the entrance. This is the everlasting abode of pleasure and joy. The old woman knocked, and the gate was opened immediately. I was conducted towards the lower end of the court, into a large hall, where I was recieved by a young lady of admirable beauty. She drew near, and after having embraced me, made me sit down by her upon a sofa, on which was raised a throne of precious wood set with diamonds. Madam, said she, you were brought hither to assist at a wedding, but I hope it will be a different wedding from what you expected. I have a brother, one of the handsmissed men in the world. He has fallen so much in love with the fame of your beauty, that his fate depends wholly upon you, and he will be the unhappiest of men if you do not take pity on him. He knows your quality, and I can assure you he is in no respect unworthy of your alliance. If my prayers, madam, can prevail, I shall join them with his, and humbly beg you will not refuse the proposal of being his wife. After the death of my husband I had not thought of marrying again, but I had no power to refuse the solicitation of so charming a lady. As soon as I had given consent by my silence, accompanied with a blush, the young lady clapped her hands, and immediately a closet door opened out of which came a young man of a majestic air, and so graceful a behaviour that I thought myself happy to have made so great a conquest. He sat down by me, and I found from his conversation that his merits far exceeded the eulogium of his sister. When she perceived that we were satisfied with one another, she clapped her hands a second time, and out came a cow-z who wrote our contract of marriage, signed it himself, and caused it to be attested by four witnesses he brought along with him. The only condition that my new husband imposed upon me was that I should not be seen by nor speak to any other man but himself, and he vowed to me that if I complied in this respect I should have no reason to complain of him. Our marriage was concluded, and finished after this manner, so I became the principal actress in a wedding to which I had only been invited as a guest. About a month after our marriage, having occasion for some stuffs, I asked my husband's permission to go out to buy them, which he granted, and I took with me the old woman of whom I soaked before, she being one of the family, and two of my own female slaves. When we came to the street where the merchants reside, the old woman said, Dear mistress, since you want silk stuffs, I must take you to a young merchant of my acquaintance, who is a great variety, and that you may not fatigue yourself by running from shop to shop, I can assure you that you will find in his what no other can furnish. I was easily persuaded, and we entered a shop belonging to a young merchant who was tolerably handsome. I sat down and bade the old woman desire him to show me the finest silk stuffs he had. The woman desired me to speak myself, but I told her it was one of the articles of my marriage contract, not to speak to any man but my husband, which I ought to keep. The merchant showed me several stuffs, of which one pleased me better than the rest, but I bade her, asked the price. He answered the old woman, I will not sell it for gold or money, but I will make her a present of it, if she will give me leave to kiss her cheek. I ordered the old woman to tell him that he was very rude to propose such a freedom, but instead of obeying me, she said, what the merchant desires of you is no such great matter, you need not speak but only present him with your cheek.  The old woman and my slaves stood up that nobody might see, and I put up my veil. But instead of kissing me, the merchant bit me so violently as to draw blood. The pain and my surprise was so great that I fell down in a swoon and continued insensible so long that the merchant had time to escape. When I came to myself, I found my cheek covered with blood. The old woman and my slaves took care to cover it with my veil, that the people who came about us could not perceive it, but suppose I had only had a fainting fit. The old woman who accompanied me being extremely troubled at this accident, endeavored to comfort me.  Because he is my countryman, but I never thought he would be guilty of such a villainous action. But do not grieve, let us hasten home. I will apply a remedy that shall in three days so perfectly cure you that not the least mark shall be visible. The fit had made me so weak that I was scarcely able to walk, but at last I got home, where I again fainted as I went into my chamber. Meanwhile the old woman applied a remedy. I came to myself and went to bed. My husband came to me at night, and seeing my head bound up asked me the reason. I told him I had a headache which I hoped would have satisfied him, but he took a candle and saw my cheek was hurt. How comes this wound, said he. Though I did not consider myself as guilty of any great offence, yet I could not think of owning the truth. Besides, to make such an avowal to a husband I considered as somewhat indecorous. I therefore said, that as I was going under his permission to purchase some silk-stuff, a porter carrying a load of wood came so near to me in a narrow street that one of the sticks grazed my cheek, but had not done me much hurt.  This act said he shall not go unpunished. I will to-morrow order the lieutenant of the police to cede all those brutes of porters and cause them to be hanged. Fearful of occasioning the death of so many innocent persons, I said, Sir, I should be sorry so great a piece of injustice to be committed. Pray refrain, for I should deem myself unpardonable, for I ought to be the cause of so much mischief. Then tell me sincerely, said he, how came you by this wound? I answered.  If that is the case, said my husband, tomorrow morning before sunrise, the grand visier, Jaffier, shall be informed of this insolence and cause all the broom-sellers to be put to death. For the love of God, Sir, said I, let me beg of you to pardon them, for they are not guilty. How, madam, he demanded, what then them I to believe? Speak, for I am resolved to know the truth from your own mouth. Sir, I replied, I was taken with a giddiness and fell down, and that is the whole matter. At these words my husband lost all patience. I have, said he, too long listened to your falsehoods. As he spoke he clapped his hands, and in came three slaves. Pull her out of bed, said he, and lay her in the middle of the floor. The slaves obeyed. One holding me by the head, another by the feet. He commanded the third to fetch a scimitar, and when he had brought it, strike, said he, cut her in two, and then throw her into the Tigris. This is the punishment I inflict on those to whom I have given my heart when they falsify their promise. When he saw that the slave hesitated to obey him, why do you not strike, said he, what do you wait for? Madam, said the slave, then, you were near the last moment of your life.  I begged permission to speak one word which was granted me.  I could say no more, for my tears and sighs choked my utterance. My husband was not at all moved. But on the contrary went on to approach me, and it would have been in vain to attempt to reply. I had recourse to entreaties and prayers, but he had no regard to them, and commanded the slaves to proceed to execution. The old woman, who had been his nurse, came in just at that moment, fell down upon her knees and endeavoured to appease his wrath.   What will the world say of such sanguinary violence? She spoke these words in such an affecting manner, accompanied with tears, that she prevailed upon him at last to abandon his purpose. Well then, he said to his nurse, for your sake I will spare her life, but she shall bear about her person some marks to make her remember her offence. When he had thus spoken one of the slaves by his order, gave me upon my sides and breast, so many blows were little cane, but he tore away both skin and flesh, which threw me into a swoon. In this state he caused the same slaves, the executioners of his fury, to carry me into a house where the old woman took care of me. I kept my bed four months. At last I recovered, the scars which, contrary to my wish you saw yesterday, have remained ever since. As soon as I was able to walk and go abroad I resolved to retire to the house which was left to me by my first husband, but I could not find the sight whereon it had stood. My second husband, in the heat of his resentment, was not satisfied with the demolition of that, but caused every other house in the same street to be razed to the ground. I believed such an act of violence was never heard of before, but against whom could I complain? The perpetrator had taken good care to conceal himself, but suppose I had discovered him? Is it not easily seen that his conduct must have proceeded from absolute power? How then could I dare to complain? Being left thus destitute and helpless, I had a recourse to my dear sister Zubaide, whose adventures your Majesty has just heard. To her I made known my misfortune. She received me with her customed goodness, and advised me to bear my ambition and patience. This is the way of the world, said she, which either robs us of our property, our friends or our lovers, and sometimes of all together. In confirmation of her remark, she at the same time gave me an account of the loss of the young prince, occasioned by the jealousy of her two sisters. She told me also by what accident they were transformed into bitches, and in the last place after a thousand testimonials of her love towards me, she introduced me to my youngest sister, who had likewise taken sanctuary with her after the death of her mother. Having returned our grateful acknowledgments to God for having thus brought us together, we resolved to preserve our freedom and never again to separate. We have now long enjoyed this tranquil life. As it was my business to manage the affairs of the house, I always took pleasure in going myself to purchase what we wanted. I happened to go abroad yesterday for this purpose, and the things I bought I caused to be carried home by a porter, who, proving to be a sensible and jocqueous fellow, we kept with us for a little diversion. Three calendars happened to come to our door as it began to grow dark, and prayed us to give them shelter till the next morning. We admitted them upon certain conditions which they agreed to observe, and after we had made them sit at table with us, they in their own way entertained us with a concert of music. This time we had knocking at our gate. This proceeded from three merchants of Mussel, men of good appearance, who begged the same favour which the calendars had obtained before. We consented upon the same conditions, but neither of them kept their promise. Though we had power as well as justice on our side had punished them, yet we contented ourselves with demanding from them the history of their lives, and afterwards confined our revenge to dismissing them after they had done and denying them the asylum they requested. The caliph was well pleased to be thus informed of what he desired to know, and publicly expressed his admiration of what he had heard. The caliph, having satisfied his curiosity, thought himself obliged to show his generosity to the calender princes, and also to give the three ladies some proof of his bounty. He himself, without making use of his minister, the grand, the vizier, spoke to Zubaidi. Madam did not this fairy that showed herself to you in the shape of a serpent, and imposed such a rigorous command upon you, tell you where her place of abode was, or rather did she not promise to see you and restore those bitches to their natural shape? Commander of the faithful answered Zubaidi, I forgot to tell your majesty that the fairy left me with a bundle of hair, saying that her presence would one day be of use to me, and then, if I only burnt two tufts of this hair, she would be with me in a moment, though she were beyond Mount Caucasus. Madam demanded the caliph where is the bundle of hair. She answered, ever since that time I've been so careful of it, that I always carry it about me. Upon which she pulled it out, opened the case which contained it, and showed it to him. Well then, said the caliph, it has bring the fairy hither. You could not call her in a better time, for I long to see her. Zubaidi, having consented, fire was brought in, and she threw the whole bundle of hair into it. The palace at that instant began to shake, and the fairy appeared before the caliph, in the form of a lady very richly dressed. Commander of the faithful, said she to the prince, you see I am ready to receive your commands. The lady who gave me this call by your order did me essential service. To evince my gratitude I revenged her of her sisters in humanity by changing them to bitches, but if your majesty commands me, I will restore them to their former shape. Generous fairy, replied the caliph, you cannot do me a greater pleasure. Felt safe them that favour, and I will find some means to comfort them for their hard penance. But besides, I have another boon to ask in favour of that lady who has had such cruel usage from an unknown husband. As you undoubtedly know all things, oblige me with the name of this barbarous wretch who could not be contented to exercise his outrageous and unmanly cruelty upon her person, but has also most unjustly taken from her all her substance.  The caliph sent for the two bitches from Zubayde's house, and when they came a glass of water was brought to the fairy by her desire, she pronounced over it some words which nobody understood. Then throwing some part of it upon a manie, and the rest upon the bitches, the latter became two ladies of surprising beauty, and the scars that were upon a manie disappeared, after which the fairy said to the caliph, commander of the faithful, I must now discover to you the unknown husband you went quite after. He is very nearly related to yourself, for it is Prince Amin, your eldest son, who falling passionately in love with this lady from the fame of her beauty, by stratagem had her brought to his house where he married her. As sir blows he caused to be given her, he is in some measure excusable, for the lady his spouse had been a little too easy, and the excuses she had made were calculated to lead him to believe she was more faulty than she really was. This is all I can say to satisfy your curiosity. At these words she saluted the caliph, and vanished. The Prince being filled with admiration, and having much satisfaction in the changes that had happened through his means, acted in such a manner as will perpetuate his memory to all ages. First he sent for his son Amin, told him that he was informed of his secret marriage, and how he had ill-treated a manie upon a very slight cause. Upon this the Prince did not wait for his father's commands, but received her again immediately. After which the caliph declared that he would give his own heart and hand to Zubayde, and offered the other three sisters to the calendars, sons of sultans, who accepted them for their brides with much joy. The caliph assigned each of them a magnificent palace in the city of Baghdad, promoted them to the highest dignities of his empire, and admitted them to his councils. The chief calzee of Baghdad being called, with witnesses, wrote the contracts of marriage, and the caliph in promoting by his patronage the happiness of many persons who had suffered such incredible calamities, drew a thousand blessings upon himself. End of Section 18 Section 19 of the Arabian Nights Entertainment's Volume 1 This is a LibriVox recording, or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Lucy LaFaro New South Wales, Australia The Arabian Nights Entertainment's Volume 1 by Anonymous Translated by Jonathan Scott Section 19 The Story of Sinbad the Voyager In the reign of the same caliph Haroun al-Rashid whom I have already mentioned, they lived at Baghdad a poor porter called Himbad. One day when the weather was excessively hot he was employed to carry a heavy burden from one end of the town to the other. Being much fatigued and having still a great way to go he came into a street where a refreshing breeze blew on his face and the pavement was sprinkled with rose water. As he could not desire a better place to rest and recruit himself he took off his load and sat upon it near a large mansion. He was much pleased that he stopped in this place for the agreeable smell of wood of aloes and of pastels that came from the house mixing with the scent of the rose water completely perfumed and embalmed the air. Besides you heard from within a concert of instrumental music accompanied with the harmonious notes of nightingales and other birds peculiar to the climate. This charming melody and the smell of several sorts of savoury dishes made the porter conclude there was a feast with great rejoicings within. His business seldom leading him that way he knew not to whom the mansion belonged but to satisfy his curiosity he went to some of the servants whom he saw standing at the gate in magnificent apparel and asked the name of the proprietor. How replied one of them do you live in bad dad and not know that this is the house of Sinbad the sailor that famous voyager who has sailed round the world. The porter who had heard of this Sinbad's riches could not but envy a man whose condition he thought to be as happy as his own was deplorable. And his mind being fretted with these reflections he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said aloud enough to be heard Almighty creator of all things consider the difference between Sinbad and me I am every day exposed to fatigues and calamities and can scarcely get coarse barley bread for myself and my family whilst happy Sinbad profusely expends immense riches and leads a life of continual pleasure. What has he done to obtain from thee a lot so agreeable and what have I done to deserve one so wretched? Having finished his expostulation he struck his foot against the ground like a man absorbed in grief and despair. Whilst the porter was thus indulging his melancholy a servant came out of the house and taking him by the arm bait him follow him for Sinbad his master wanted to speak to him. Sir your Majesty may easily imagine that the repining Himbad was not a little surprised at this compliment. For considering what he had said he was afraid Sinbad had sent for him to punish him. Therefore he would have excused himself alleging that he could not leave his burden in the middle of the street but Sinbad's servants assured him they would look to it and were so urgent with him that he was obliged to yield. The servants brought him into a great hall where a number of people sat round a table covered with all sorts of savory dishes. At the supper end sat a comely venerable gentleman with a long white beard and behind him stood a number of officers and domestics all ready to attend his pleasure. This personage was Sinbad. The porter whose fear was increased at the sight of so many people and of a banquet so sumptuous saluted the company trembling. Sinbad bade him draw near and seating him at his right hand served him himself and gave him excellent wine of which there was abundance upon the sideboard. When the repast was over Sinbad addressed his conversation to Hindbad and calling him brother according to the manner of the Arabians when they are familiar one with another inquired his name and employment. My lord answered he my name is Hindbad. I am very glad to see you replied Sinbad and I dare say the same on behalf of all the company but I wish to hear from your own mouth what it was you lately said in the street. Sinbad had himself heard the porter complain through the window and this it was that induced him to have him brought in. At this request Hindbad hung down his head in confusion and replied my lord I confess that my fatigue put me out of humour and occasioned me to utter some indiscreet words which I beg you to pardon. Do not think I am so unjust resumed Sinbad as to resent such a complaint. I consider your condition and instead of upgrading commiserate you but I must rectify your error concerning myself. You think no doubt that I have acquired without labour and trouble the ease and indulgence which I now enjoy but do not mistake. I did not attain to this happy condition without enduring for several years more trouble of body and mind than can well be imagined. Yes gentlemen he added speaking to the whole company I can assure you my troubles were so extraordinary that they were calculated to discourage the most covetous from undertaking such voyages as I did to acquire riches. Perhaps you have never heard a distinct account of my wonderful adventures and the dangers I encountered in my seven voyages and since I have this opportunity I will give you a faithful account of them not doubting but it will be acceptable. Asimba wished to relate his adventures chiefly on the porter's account. He ordered his burden to be carried to the place of its destination and then proceeded. End of section 19 Section 20 of the Arabian Knights Entertainment's Volume 1 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the paper All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Lucy LaFaro New South Wales Australia The Arabian Knights Entertainment's Volume 1 by Anonymous Translated by Dr Jonathan Scott Section 20 I inherited from my father considerable property the greater part of which I squandered in my youth in dissipation but I perceived my error and reflected that riches were perishable and quickly consumed by such ill managers as myself. I father considered that by my irregular way of living I wretchedly misspent my time which is of all things the most valuable. I remembered the saying of the great Solomon which I had frequently heard from my father that death is more tolerable than poverty. Struck by these reflections I collected the remains of my fortune and sold all my effects by public auction. Then I entered into a contract with some merchants who traded by sea. I took the advice of such as I thought most capable of assisting me and resolving to improve what money I had. I went to Bussara and embarked with several merchants on board a ship which we had jointly fitted out. We set sail and steered our course towards the Indies through the Persian Gulf which is formed by the coasts of Arabia Felix on the right and those of Persia on the left and according to common opinion it takes a few weeks while at the broadest place. The eastern sea as well as that of the Indies is very spacious. It is bounded on one side by the coasts of Abyssinia and is 4,500 leagues in length of the isles of Vak-Vak. At first I was troubled with the sea sickness but speedily recovered my health and was not afterwards subject to that complaint. We searched at several islands where we sold or exchanged our goods. One day whilst under sail we were big calmed near a small island but little elevated above the level of the water and resembling a green meadow. The captain ordered his sails to be furled and permitted such persons as were so inclined to land of this number I was one. But while we were enjoying ourselves in eating and drinking and recovering ourselves from the fatigue of the sea the island of a sudden trembled and shook us terribly. The trembling of the island was perceived on board the ship and we were called upon to re-embark speedily or we should all be lost for what we took for an island proved to be the back of a save monster. The nimblest got into the sloop others betook themselves to swimming but for myself I was still upon the back of the creature when he dived into the sea and I had time only to catch hold of a piece of wood that we had brought out of the ship to make fire. Meanwhile the captain having received those on board who were in the sloop and taken up some of those that swam resolved to improve the favourable gale that had just risen and hoisting his sails pursued his voyage so that it was impossible for me to recover the ship thus I was exposed to the mercy of the waves. I struggled for my life all the rest of the day and the following night by this time I found my strength gone and a spared of saving my life when happily a wave threw me against an island the bank was high and rugged so that I could scarcely have got up had it not been for some roots of trees which fortune seemed to have preserved in this place for my safety. Having reached the land I lay down upon the ground half dead until the sun appeared. Then though I was very feeble both from hard labour and want of food I crept along to find some herbs fit to eat and had the good luck not only to procure some but likewise to discover a spring of excellent water which contributed much to recover me. After this I advanced further into the island and at last reached a fine plain where I at a great distance I perceived a horse feeding I went towards it fluctuating between hope and fear for I knew not whether in advancing I was more likely to endanger or preserve my life as I approached I perceived it to be a very fine mare tired to a stake whilst I was admiring its beauty I heard from beneath the voice of a man who immediately appeared and asked me who I was I related to him my adventure after which taking me by the hand he led me into a cave where there were several other people no less amazed to see me and asked to see them I partook of some provisions which they offered me I then asked them what they did in such a desert place to which they answered that they were grooms belonging to Maharaja sovereign of the island that every year at the same season they brought thither the king's mares and fasten them as I had seen until they were covered by a seahorse who afterwards endeavoured to destroy the mares but was prevented by their noise and obliged to return to the sea the mares when in foal were taken back and the horses thus produced were kept for the king's use and called seahorses they added that they were to return home on the tomorrow and had I been one day later I must have perished and habited part of the island was a great distance and it would have been impossible for me to have got dither without a guide while they entertained me thus the horse came out of the sea as they had told me covered the mare and afterwards would have devoured her but upon a great noise made by the grooms he left her and plunged into the sea next morning their mares to the capital of the island took me with them and presented me to the Maharaja he asked me who I was and by what adventure I had come into his dominions after I had satisfied him he told me he was much concerned for my misfortune and at the same time ordered that I should want nothing which commands his officers were so generous and careful as to see exactly fulfilled being a merchant I frequented men of my own profession and particularly inquired for those who were strangers that perchance I might hear news from Baghdad or find an opportunity to return for the Maharaja's capital is situated on the sea coast and has a fine harbour where ships arrive daily from the different quarters of the world I frequented also the society of the learned Indians and took delight to hear them converse but with all I took care to make my court regularly to the Maharaja and converse with the governors and petty kings his tributaries that were about him they put a thousand questions respecting my country and I being willing to inform myself as to their laws and customs asked them concerning everything which I thought worth knowing there belongs to this king an island name Kassel they assured me that every night a noise of drums was heard there quenched the mariners fancy that it was the residence of Dejur I determined to visit this wonderful place and in my way did I saw fishes of hundred and two hundred cubits long that occasion more fear than hurt for they are so timorous that they will fly upon the rattling of two sticks or boards I saw likewise other fish about a cubit in length that had heads like owls as I was one day at the port after my return a ship arrived and as soon as she cast anchor they began to unload her and the merchants on board ordered their goods to be carried into the custom house as I cast my eye upon some labels and looked to the name I found my own and perceived the bails to be the same that I had embarked at Bussora I also knew the captain but being persuaded that he believed me to be drowned I went and asked him whose bails these were he replied that they belong to a bag dad called Sinbad who came to see with him but one day being near an island as was supposed he went ashore with several other passengers upon this island which was only a monstrous fish that lay asleep upon the surface of the water but as soon as he felt the heat of the fire they had kindled upon his back to dress some victuals began to move and dived under water most of the persons who were upon him perished and among them the unfortunate Sinbad whose bails belong to him and I am resolved to trade with them until I meet with some of his family to whom I may return the prophet I am that Sinbad said I whom you thought to be dead and those bails are mine when the captain heard me speak thus heavens he exclaimed who can we trust in these times there is no faith left among men I saw Sinbad perish with my own eyes as did also the passengers on board and yet you tell me that you are that Sinbad what impudence is this to look on you one would take you to be a man of probity and yet you tell a horrible falsehood in order to possess yourself of what does not belong to you have patience replied I do me the favour to hear what I have to say very well said he speak I am ready to hear you then I told him how I had escaped and by what adventure I met with the grooms of Maharaja who had brought me to his court his confidence began to penetrate upon this declaration and he was at length persuaded that I was no cheat for there came people from his ship who knew me paid me great compliments and expressed much joy at seeing me alive at last he recollected me himself and embracing me heaven be praised said he for your happy escape I cannot express the joy it affords me are your goods take and do with them as you please I thanked him acknowledged his probity and in requital offered him part of my goods as a present which he generously refused I took out what was most valuable in my bails and presented them to the Maharaja who knowing my misfortune asked me how I came by such rarities I acquainted him with the circumstances of their recovery he was pleased at my good luck accepted my present and in return gave me one much more considerable upon this I took leave of him and went aboard the same ship after I had exchanged my goods for the commodities of that country I carried with me wood of aloes sandal, camphor, nutmegs cloves, pepper and ginger we passed by several islands and at last arrived at Busora from whence I came to this city with the value of 100,000 sequins my family and I received one another with all the transports of sincere affection I bought slaves of both sexes and landed a state and built a magnificent house thus I settled myself resolving to forget the miseries I had suffered and to enjoy the pleasures of life Sinbad stopped here and ordered the musicians to proceed with their concert which the story had interrupted the company continued enjoying themselves till evening and it was time to retire when Sinbad sent for a purse of 100 sequins and giving it to the porter said take this, Hinbad return to your home and come back tomorrow to hear more of my adventures the porter went away astonished at the honour done and the present made him the account of his adventure proved very agreeable to his wife and children who did not fail to return thanks to God for what providence had sent him by the hand of Sinbad Hinbad put on his best apparel next day to the bountiful traveller who received him with a pleasant air and welcomed him heartily when all the guests had arrived dinner was served and continued a long time when it was ended Sinbad addressing himself to the company said gentlemen be pleased to listen to the adventures of my second voyage they deserve your attention even more than those of the first upon which everyone held his peace and Sinbad proceeded end of section 20 section 21 of the Arabian Knights entertainment's volume 1 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Lucy Maro New South Wales, Australia the Arabian Knights entertainment's volume 1 by Anonymous translated by Dr Jonathan Scott section 21 I designed after my first voyage to spend the rest of my days at Baghdad as I had the honour to tell you yesterday but it was not long ere I grew weary of an indolent life my inclination to trade revived I bought goods proper for the commerce I intended and put to sea a second time with merchants of known probity we embarked on board a good ship and after recommending ourselves to God we set sail we traded from Ireland to Ireland and exchanged commodities with great profit one day we landed in an island covered with several sorts of fruit trees but we could see neither man nor animal we went to take a little fresh air in the meadows along the streams that watered them while some diverted themselves with gathering flowers and other fruits I took my wine and provisions and sat down near a stream between two high trees which formed a thick shade I made a good meal to sleep I cannot tell how long I slept but when I awoke the ship was gone I was much alarmed at finding the ship gone I got up and looked around me but could not see one of the merchants who landed with me I perceived the ship under sail but at such a distance that I lost sight of her in a short time I leave you to guess at my melancholy reflections in this sad condition I was ready to die with grief I cried out in agony beat my head and breast and threw myself upon the ground where I lay some time in despair one afflicting thought being succeeded by another still more afflicting I upgraded myself a hundred times for not being content with the produce of my first voyage that might have sufficed me all my life but all this was in vain and my repentance too late at last I resigned myself to the will of God not knowing what to do I climbed up to the top of a lofty tree from whence I looked about on all sides to see if I could discover anything that could give me hopes when I gazed towards the sea I could see nothing but sky and water but looking over the land I beheld something white and coming down I took what provision I had left and went towards it the distance being so great that I could not distinguish what it was as I approached I thought it to be a white dome of a prodigious height and extent and when I came up to it I touched it and found it to be very smooth I went round to see if it was open on any side but saw it was not and that there was no climbing up to the top as it was so smooth it was at least 50 paces round by this time the sun was about to set and all of a sudden the sky became as dark as if it had been covered with a thick cloud I was much astonished at this sudden darkness but much more when I found it occasioned by a bird of a monstrous size that came flying toward me I remembered that I had often heard Marinus speak of a miraculous bird called Rock and conceived that the great dome which I so much admired must be its egg in short the bird alighted and sat over the egg as I perceived her coming I crept to the egg so that I had before me one of the legs of the bird which was as big as the trunk of a tree I tied myself strongly to it with my turban in hopes that the Rock next morning would carry me with her out of this desert island after having passed the night in this condition the bird flew away as soon as it was daylight that I could not discern the earth she afterwards descended with so much rapidity that I lost my senses but when I found myself on the ground I speedily untied the knot and had scarcely done so when the Rock having taken up a serpent of a monstrous length in her bill flew away the spot where it left me was encompassed on all sides by mountains that seemed to reach above the clouds and so steep that there was no possibility of getting out of the valley this was a new perplexity so that when I compared this place with the desert island from which the Rock had brought me I found that I had gained nothing by the change as I walked through this valley I perceived it was strewed with diamonds some of which were of a surprising bigness I took pleasure in looking upon them but shortly saw at a distance such objects as greatly diminished my satisfaction and which I could not view without terror namely a great number of serpents so monstrous that the least of them was capable of swallowing an elephant they retired in the daytime to their dens where they hid themselves from the Rock their enemy and came out only in the night I spent the day in walking about in the valley resting myself at times in such places as I thought most convenient when night came on I went into a cave where I thought I might repose in safety I secured the entrance which was low and narrow with a great stone to preserve me from the serpents but not so far as to exclude the light I subbed on part of my provisions but the serpents which began hissing around me put me into such extreme fear that you may easily imagine I did not sleep when day appeared the serpents retired and I came out of the cave trembling I can justly say that I walked upon diamonds without fearing any inclination to touch them at last I sat down standing my apprehensions not having closed my eyes during the night fell asleep after having eaten a little more of my provision but I had scarcely shut my eyes when something that fell by me with a great noise awakened me this was a large piece of raw meat and at the same time I saw several others fall down from the rocks in different places I had always regarded as fabulous what I had heard sailors and others relate of the valley of diamonds and of the stratagems employed by merchants to obtain jewels from vents but now I found that they had stated nothing but truth for the fact is that the merchants come to the neighbourhood of this valley when the eagles have young ones and throwing great joints of meat into the valley the diamonds upon whose points they fall stick to them the eagles which are stronger in this country than anywhere else pounce with great force upon those pieces of meat and carry them to their nests on the precipices of the rocks to feed their young the merchants at this time run to their nests disturb and drive off the eagles by their shouts and take away the diamonds to the meat until I perceived the device I had concluded it to be impossible for me to get from this abyss which I regarded as my grave but now I changed my opinion and began to think upon the means of my deliverance I began to collect together the largest diamonds I could find and put them into a leather bag in which I used to carry my provisions I afterwards took the largest of the pieces of meat tied it close around me with the cloth of my turban and then laid myself upon the ground with my face downward the bag of diamonds being made fast to my girdle I had scarcely placed myself in this posture when the eagles came each of them seized a piece of meat and one of the strongest having taken me up with the piece of meat to which I was fastened carried me to his nest on top of the mountain the merchants immediately began their shouting to frighten the eagles and when they had obliged them to quit their prey one of them came to the nest where I was he was much alarmed when he saw me but recovering himself instead of inquiring how I came he then began to quarrel with me and asked why I stole his goods you will treat me with more civility when you know me better do not be uneasy I have diamonds enough for you and myself more than all the other merchants together whatever they have they owe to chance but I selected for myself in the bottom of the valley those which you see in this bag I had scarcely done speaking when the other merchants came crowding about us much astonished to see me they were much more surprised when I told them my story yet they did not so much admire my stratagem to effect my deliverance as to my courage in putting it into execution they conducted me to their encampment and there having opened my bag they were surprised at the largeness of my diamonds and confessed that in all the courts which they had visited they had never seen any of such size I prayed the merchant who owned the nest to which I had been carried for every merchant had his own to take as many for his share as he pleased he contented himself with one and that too the least of them and when I pressed him to take more without fear of doing me any injury no said he I am very well satisfied with this which is valuable enough to save me the trouble of making any more voyages and will raise as great a fortune as I desire I spent the night with the merchants to whom I related my story a second time for the satisfaction of those who had not heard it I could not moderate my joy when I found myself delivered from the danger I have mentioned I thought myself in a dream and could scarcely believe myself out of danger I had seen their pieces of meat into the valley for several days and each of them being satisfied with the diamonds that had fallen to his lot we left the place the next morning and travelled near high mountains where there were serpents of a prodigious length which we had the good fortune to escape we took shipping at the first port we reached and touched at the Isle of Roja in the campfire this tree is so large and its branches so thick that one hundred men may easily sit under its shade the juice of which the campfire is made exudes from the whole board in the upper part of the tree is received in a vessel where it thickens to a consistency and becomes what we call campfire after the juice is thus drawn out and then it enters and dies in this island is also found the rhinoceros an animal less than the elephant but larger than the buffalo it has a horn upon its nose about a cubit in length this horn is solid and cleft through the middle upon this may be seen white lines representing the figure of a man the rhinoceros fights the elephant runs his horn into his belly and carries him off upon his head but the blood and the fat of the elephant running into his eyes and making him blind he falls to the ground and then strange to relate the rock comes and carries them both away within her claws for food for her young ones I pass over many other things peculiar to this island lest I should be troublesome to you here I exchanged some of my diamonds for merchandise from hence we went to other islands and at last having touched at several trading towns of the continent we landed at Bessora from hence I proceeded to Baghdad there I immediately gave large presents to the poor and lived honourably upon the vast riches I had brought so much fatigue thus Simbad ended the relation of the second voyage gave Hindbad another hundred sequins and invited him to come the next day to hear the account of the third the rest of the guests returned to their homes and came again the following day at the same hour and one may be sure the porter did not fail having by this time almost forgotten his former poverty when dinner was over Simbad demanded attention and gave them an account of his third voyage as follows end of section 21