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Another Random Scribd Document
with Unrelated Content
their basons, in which there were some ashes, some charcoal in
powder, and some lamp black. They mixed all these together, and
began to rub them over their faces, and smear their countenances
until their appearance was very frightful. After they had blacked
themselves over in this manner, they began to weep, to make great
lamentations, and to beat their head and breast, calling out
incessantly all the time, “Behold the consequences of our idleness
and debaucheries.”

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

last they gave over, when the old man brought them some water, in
which they washed their face and hands. They then took off their
dresses, which were much torn, and put on others, so that they did
not appear to have been engaged in those extraordinary occupations
to which I had been a witness. Judge what was my fear during all
this time. I was tempted a thousand times to break the silence which
they had imposed upon me, for the purpose of asking them
questions: nor could I, during the remainder of the night, get any
rest.

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

take the air, and I then said unto them, “I must inform you,
gentlemen, that I renounce the law you imposed upon me last night,
as I can no longer observe it. You are wise men, and you have given
me sufficient reason to believe that you possess an enlarged
understanding; yet at the same time I have seen you do things which
none but madmen would be guilty of. Whatever misfortune may
happen to me in consequence, I cannot refrain from inquiring for
what reason you daubed your faces with ashes, charcoal, and black
paint, and how you have all lost an eye. Something very singular
must be the cause of this; I entreat you, therefore, to satisfy my
curiosity.” Notwithstanding such pressing entreaties, they only
answered that the inquiries I made did not relate to me, that I had no
interest in their actions, and that I might remain in peace. We passed
the day in conversing upon different subjects, and, when night
approached, we supped separately, as before, and the old man again
brought the blue basons, with the contents of which the others
anointed themselves; they then wept, beat themselves, and
exclaimed, “Behold the consequence of our idleness and our
debaucheries.” The next day and following night they did the same
thing.

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

entreated them to satisfy me, or inform me by what road I could
return to my kingdom; for I told them it was impossible to remain
any longer with them and be every night a witness to such an
extraordinary sight, if I was not permitted to know the motives that
produced it. One of the young men thus answered me for the rest;
“Do not be astonished at what we do in your presence: if we have
not hitherto yielded to your entreaties, it has been entirely out of
friendship for you; and to spare you from the regret of being
reduced to the same state in which you see us. If you wish to
experience our unfortunate fate you have only to speak, and we will
give you the satisfaction you require.” I told them, I was determined
to know it at all events. “Once more,” replied the same young man,
“we advise you to restrain your curiosity; for it will cost you the
sight of your right eye.”—“It is of no consequence,” I answered,
“and I declare to you, that if this misfortune does happen, I shall not
consider you as the cause of it, but shall lay the blame entirely on
myself.” Again he represented to me, that when I should have lost
my eye, I must not expect to remain with them, even if I had thought
of it; as their number was complete, and could not be increased. I
told them that it would be a satisfaction to me not to separate myself
from such agreeable men as they appeared to be; but still if it were
necessary I would submit to it: since whatever might be the
consequence I wished them to grant me the satisfaction I required.
 The ten young men observing that I was not to be shaken in my
resolution, took a sheep and killed it: after they had taken off the
skin, they gave me the knife they had made use of, and said, “Take
this knife, it will serve you for an occasion of which we will soon
inform you: we are going to sew you up in this skin, in which it is
necessary you should be entirely concealed. We shall then leave you
in this place and retire. Soon afterwards a bird of a most enormous
size, which they call a roc, will appear in the air, and taking you for a
sheep, will plunge down upon you and lift you up to the clouds: but
do not let this alarm you. The bird will soon return with his prey
towards the earth, and will lay you down on the top of a mountain.
As soon as you shall feel yourself upon the ground, rip open the skin
with the knife, and discover yourself. On seeing you, the roc will be
alarmed and fly away, leaving you at liberty. Do not stop there, but
go on until you arrive at a castle of a most prodigious magnitude,
entirely covered with plates of gold, set with large emeralds and
other precious stones. Go to the gate, which is always open, and
enter. All of us who are here have been in this castle: but we will tell
you nothing of what we saw nor what happened to us, as you will
learn every thing yourself. The only thing we can inform you of is,
that it has cost each of us a right eye, and the penance of which you
were witness is what we are obliged to undergo in consequence of
our having been there. The particular history of each of us is full of
such wonderful adventures they would make a large book—but we
cannot now tell you more.”

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

myself up in the sheep-skin, and took the knife which they had
given me. After they had taken the trouble to sew me up in it, they
left me in that place, and retired into their apartment. It was not long
before the roc which they had mentioned made its appearance,
plunged down upon me, took me up in its talons as if I were a sheep,
and transported me to the summit of a mountain. When I perceived
that I was upon the ground, I did not fail to make use of the knife. I
ripped open the skin, threw it off, and appeared before the roc, who
flew away the instant it saw me. This roc is a white bird of an
enormous size; its strength is such, that it will lift up elephants from
the ground, and carry them to the tops of mountains, where it
devours them.

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

indeed I made so much haste that I reached it in less than half a day;
and I may add, that I found it much more beautiful than it had been
described. The gate was open, and I entered into a square court of
such vast extent that in it were ninety-nine doors, made of sandal
wood and aloes, and one of gold: without reckoning those of many
magnificent stair cases, which led to the upper apartments; and
some others which I did not see. The hundred doors I have
mentioned, formed the entrances either into the gardens or
magazines filled with riches, or into some other places which
contained things most surprising to behold.

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

large saloon, where forty young females were sitting, whose beauty
was so perfect, that it was impossible for the imagination to form to
itself any thing beyond it. They were all very magnificently dressed;
and as soon as they perceived me, they got up, and, without waiting
for my paying my compliments, they called out with appearance of
great joy, “Welcome, my brave lord, you are welcome;” and one of
them speaking for the rest, said, “We have a long time expected a
person like you. Your manner sufficiently shows that you possess all
the good qualities we could wish, and we hope that you will not find
our company either disagreeable or unworthy of you.” After much
resistance on my part, they forced me to sit down on a place that was
more raised than theirs; and when I showed them it was unpleasant
to me, they said, “it is your place; from this moment you are our
lord, our master, and our judge; we are your slaves, and ready to
obey your commands.” Nothing in the world could have astonished
me more than the desire and the eagerness these females professed
to render me every possible service. One brought me some warm
water to wash my feet; another threw some perfumed water over my
hands; some brought me whatever was necessary to change my
dress; and others served up a magnificent collation, while another
party presented themselves before me with a glass in their hands,
ready to pour out the most delicious wine. All this was done without
any confusion, and in such admirable order and such a pleasant
way, that I was quite charmed. I eat and drank; after which all the
ladies, placing themselves around me, asked me to relate my
journey. I gave them an account of my adventures so fully, that it
lasted till the beginning of the night. When I had finished the
relation of my history to the forty ladies, some of those who were
seated nearest to me, waited to entertain me; while others, observing
it was night, went out to seek for lights. They returned with such a
prodigious quantity, that they produced almost the brilliancy of day;
but they were arranged with so much symmetry and taste, that we
could hardly wish for it.

Some of the other ladies covered the tables with dried fruits,
sweetmeats, and whatever else was adapted to excite a desire for
drinking; they also furnished the sideboard with many sorts of wine
and liquors, while the remainder of the ladies came with several
musical instruments. When every thing was ready, they invited me
to sit down at table; the ladies sat down with me, and we remained
there a considerable time. Those who entertained us with the
instruments, accompanied them with their voices, and formed a
delightful concert. The rest began a sort of ball, and danced in pairs
one after the other in the most graceful and elegant manner possible.
It was past midnight before all these amusements were concluded.
One of the ladies then, addressing me, said, “You are fatigued with
the distance you have come to-day, and it is time you should take
some repose. Your apartment is prepared; but before you retire, you
are requested to point out from amongst us all, her who most
pleases you; and she is destined to pass the night in your chamber. I
answered, “it was impossible to make the choice they required, since
they were all equally beautiful and engaging, and worthy both of my
respect and services; and that I could not be guilty of the incivility of
preferring any one to the rest.”

The lady who had first spoken to me, answered, “We are all very
well persuaded of your good intentions, and we are well assured
that the fear of giving rise to any jealousy amongst us, is what
prevents you, but do not let this stop you, for the happiness of her
whom you shall choose will not make us jealous, because we have
agreed, that every day each shall have the same honour in her turn,
and at the end of forty days we shall begin again. Choose then freely,
and do not waste that time which you ought to give to the repose
you stand so much in need of. I was obliged to yield to their
entreaties; and I presented my hand therefore to the lady who had
spoken for the rest; she immediately gave me hers, and they
conducted us to a magnificent apartment. The other ladies then left
us there, and retired to their own.

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

other thirty-nine ladies came into my apartment, differently adorned
from the preceding day. They paid their compliments to me, and
made inquiries after my health. They then conducted me to a bath,
where they employed themselves in washing me, and rendering me
every service I wanted, although contrary to my inclination; and
when I came out, they brought me another dress still more
magnificent than the first. We passed the greatest part of the day at
table, and when the hour of retiring came, they again entreated me
to make choice of another amongst them, to remain as my
companion. In short, madam, not to tire you by repeating the same
thing over again, I may tell you at once, that I passed a whole year
with these forty ladies, taking each of them in their turn for my
mistress, and that during the whole of this time the voluptuous life I
led was not interrupted by the least uneasiness.

I was never more surprised than at the end of the year, when the
forty ladies, instead of presenting themselves to me with their
accustomed good spirits, and making inquiries after my health, one
morning entered my apartment with their countenances bathed in
tears. They each came and embraced me, and said, “Adieu, dear
prince, adieu, we are now compelled to leave you.”

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

of the cause of their grief, and why they were obliged, as they said,
to leave me. “In the name of God, my beautiful ladies,” I exclaimed,
“tell me, I beseech you, is it in my power to console you, or will my
aid and assistance prove useless?” Instead of answering me in a
direct manner, they said, “Would to God we had never seen or
known you. Many men have done us the honour of visiting us
previous to yourself, but no one possessed the elegance, the softness,
the power of pleasing, the merit of yourself; nor do we know how
we shall be able to live without you.” Upon this they renewed their
tears. “Amiable ladies,” I cried, “do not, I beg of you, keep me any
longer in suspense, but tell me the cause of your sorrow?”—“Alas!”
answered they, “what else could afflict us but the necessity of
separating ourselves from you. Perhaps we shall never meet again.
Yet still, if you really wished it, and had sufficient command over
yourself for the purpose, it is not absolutely impossible to us to
rejoin you.”—“In truth, ladies,” I replied, “I do not at all understand
what you mean; speak, I conjure you, more openly.”—“Well then,”
said one of them, “to satisfy you, we must inform you we are all
princesses and the daughters of kings. You have seen in what
manner, and under what conditions, we live here; but at the end of
each year we are compelled to absent ourselves forty days, to fulfil
some duties which cannot be dispensed with; but which we are not
at liberty to reveal; after this, we again return to this castle.
Yesterday the year finished, and today we must leave you. This is
the great cause of our affliction. Before we go, we will give you the
keys of every thing; and particularly of the hundred doors, within
which you will find ample room to gratify your curiosity and amuse
your solitude during our absence. But for your own sake, and for
our particular interest, we entreat you to refrain from opening the
golden door. If you do open it, we shall never see you again; and the
fear we are in lest you should, increases our sorrow. We hope you
will profit by the advice we have given you. Your repose, your
happiness, nay your life, depends upon it, therefore be careful. If
you indiscreetly yield to your curiosity, you will also do us a
considerable injury. We conjure you, therefore, not to be guilty of
this fault, and to afford us the consolation of finding you here at the
end of the forty days. We would take the key of the golden door
with us, but it would be an offence to such a prince as you are, to
doubt your circumspection and discretion.”

This speech affected me very sensibly. I made them understand

that their absence would cause me much pain, and thanked them
very much for the good advice they gave me. I assured them I would
profit by it; and would perform things much more difficult if it
would procure me the happiness of passing the remainder of my life
with ladies of such rare and extraordinary merit. We took the most
tender leave of each other; I embraced them all; and they departed
from the castle, in which I remained quite alone.

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

various amusements, had so entirely engrossed my time during the
whole year, that I had nor the least opportunity, nor indeed
inclination, to examine the wonders that were contained in this
enchanted palace. I had not even paid any attention to the multitude
of extraordinary objects which were continually before my eyes; so
much was I taken up with the charms and accomplishments of the
ladies, and the pleasure I felt at finding them always employed in
endeavouring to amuse me. I was very much afflicted at their
departure; and although their absence was to last only forty days,
this time, when deprived of their society, seemed to me an age.

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

given me, not to open the golden door; but as I was permitted, with
that one exception, to satisfy my curiosity, I took the keys belonging
to the others, which were regularly arranged, and opened the first
door. I entered a fruit-garden, to which I thought nothing in the
world was comparable; not even that which our religion promises us
the enjoyment of after death. The admirable order and arrangement
in which the trees were disposed, the abundance and variety of the
fruits, many of which were unknown to me, together with their
freshness and beauty, and the elegant neatness apparent in every
spot, ravished me with astonishment. I must not either neglect to
inform you that this delightful garden was watered in a most
singular manner: small channels cut out with great art and
regularity, and of different sizes, conveyed the water in great
abundance to the roots of some trees which required it in order to
send forth their first leaves and flowers; while others, whose fruits
were already set, received it with a more sparing hand; and those
where the fruit was much swelled had still less, while a fourth sort,
having the fruit come to its full size, had just what was sufficient to
ripen it. The size also, which all the fruits acquired, very much
exceeded what we are accustomed to observe in our gardens.
Besides which, these channels that conducted the water to the trees
on which the fruit was ripe, had barely enough to preserve it in the
same state without decaying it.

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

and I should never have left it if I had not from this beginning
conceived a still higher idea of the things which I had not yet seen. I
returned with my mind full of the wonders I had beheld. I then
closed that door, and opened the next.
 In the place of a fruit-garden I now discovered one of flowers,
which was not in its kind less singular. It contained a spacious
parterre, not watered with such abundance as the preceding, but
with greater skill and management, as it did not supply each flower
with more than it wanted. The rose, the jessamine, the violet, the
narcissus, the hyacinth, the anemone, the tulip, the ranunculus, the
carnation, the lily, and an infinity of other flowers, which in other
places bloom at various times, come all into flower at once in this
spot; and nothing can be softer than the air you breathe in this
garden.

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

aviary. It was paved with different coloured marbles, of the finest
and least common sort. The cages were of sandal-wood and aloes;
and contained a great number of nightingales, goldfinches, canaries,
larks, and other birds, whose notes were sweeter and more
melodious than any I had ever heard before. The vases which
contained their food and water, were of jaspar or the most valuable
agate. This aviary also was kept with the greatest degree of neatness;
and from its vast extent I conceive that it would employ not less than
a hundred persons to keep it in the state it then was; and yet no one
appeared either here or in the other gardens, in none of which did I
observe a single weed that was noxious, nor the least superfluous
thing that could offend the sight.

The sun was already set, and I retired much delighted with the
warbling of the multitude of birds, which were then flying about to
find the most commodious place to perch and enjoy the repose of the
night. I went back to my apartment, and determined to open all the
other doors on the succeeding days, except the hundredth. The next
day I did not fail to go to the fourth door and open it. But if that
which I had seen on the foregoing days was capable of surprising
me, what I now beheld put me in ecstacy. I first entered into a large
court, surrounded by a building of a very singular sort of
architecture, of which, to avoid being very prolix, I will not give you
a description.

This building had forty doors, all open: each of which was an
entrance into a sort of treasury, containing more riches than many
kingdoms. The first contained large quantities of pearls, and what is
almost incredible, the most valuable, which were as large as pigeons’
eggs, were more numerous than the smaller. The second was filled
with diamonds, carbuncles, and rubies; the third with emeralds; the
fourth contained gold in ingots; the fifth gold in money; the sixth
ingots of silver; and the two following silver money. The rest were
filled with amethists, chrysolites, topazes, opals, turquoises,
hyacinths, and every other sort of precious stone we are acquainted
with; not to mention agate, jaspar, cornelian, and coral, both in
branches and whole trees, with which one apartment was entirely
filled. Struck with surprise and admiration at the sight of all these
riches, I exclaimed, “It is impossible that all the treasures of every
potentate in the universe, if they were collected in the same spot, can
equal these! How happy am I in possessing all these treasures as
well as such amiable princesses!”

I will not detain you, madam, by giving you an account of all the
wonderful and valuable things which I saw on the following days; I
will only inform you that it took me up nine and thirty days in
opening the ninety-nine doors, and in admiration of every thing that
offered itself to my view. There now remained only the hundredth,
which I was forbidden to touch. The fortieth day since the departure
of the charming princesses now arrived. If I had been able, only for
that one day, to have had the power over myself I ought to have had,
I should have been the happiest instead of the most miserable of
men. They would have returned the next day, and the pleasure I
should have experienced in receiving them, ought to have acted as a
restraint upon my curiosity; but through a weakness which I shall
never cease to lament, I yielded to the temptation of some demon,
who did not suffer me to rest till I had subjected myself to the pain
and punishment I have since experienced.

I opened the fatal door, though I had promised not to attempt it.
Before I even set my foot within-side, a very agreeable odour struck
me, but so powerful it made me faint. I soon however recovered, but
instead of profiting by such warning, instantly shutting the door and
giving up all idea of satisfying my curiosity, I entered; having first
waited till the odour was lessened and dispersed through the air. I
then felt no inconvenience from it. I found a very large and vaulted
room, the floor of which was strewed with saffron. It was
illuminated with lights made of aloe-wood and ambergris, and
placed on golden stands: these afforded a strong smell. The
brightness caused by these was still farther heightened by many
lamps of silver and gold, which were filled with oil composed of
many perfumes.

Among the numerous objects which attracted my attention, was a

black horse, the best formed and most beautiful that ever was seen. I
went close to it in order to observe it more attentively. The saddle
and bridle which were on it were of massive gold, richly worked. On
one side of its manger there was clean barley and sesame, and the
other was filled with rose-water; I then took hold of its bridle, and
led it towards the light to examine it the better. I mounted it and
endeavoured to make it go: but as it would not move, I struck it with
a switch which I had found in its magnificent stable. It had hardly
felt the stroke before it began to neigh in a most dreadful manner;
then spreading its wings, which I had not till that moment
perceived, it rose so high in the air, that I lost sight of the ground. I
now thought only of holding fast on its back; nor did I experience
any injury, if I except the great terror with which I was seized. At
length it began to descend towards the earth, and lighted upon the
terraced roof of a castle; then, without giving me time to get down, it
shook me so violently that I fell off behind, and with the end of its
tail it put out my right eye.

This was the way I became blind, and the prediction of the ten
young lords was now instantly brought to my recollection. The
horse itself immediately after spread its wings, took flight, and
disappeared. I rose up, much afflicted at the misfortune which I had
thus voluntarily brought upon myself. I traversed the whole terrace,
keeping my hand up to my eye, as I experienced very considerable
pain from the stroke. I then went down, and came to a saloon, which
I immediately recognised from observing ten sofas disposed in a
circle, and a single one in the middle less elevated: it was in fact in
the very castle whence I had been carried up by the roc.

The ten young lords were not in it at that time. I however waited,
and it was not long before they came, accompanied by the old man.
They did not seem at all astonished at seeing me, nor at observing I
had lost my right eye. “We are very sorry,” they said, “we cannot
congratulate you on your return in the manner we could have
wished; but you know we were not the cause of your
misfortune.”—“It would be,” I replied, “very wrong in me to accuse
you of it: I brought it entirely upon myself, and the fault lies with me
alone.”—“If the unfortunate,” answered they, “can derive any
consolation from knowing that others are in the same situation, we
can afford you that satisfaction. Whatever may have happened to
you, be assured we have experienced the same. We have equally
enjoyed every species of pleasure for a whole year; and we should
have continued in the enjoyment of the same happiness if we had
not opened the golden door during the absence of the princesses.
You have not been more prudent than we were, and you have
experienced the same punishment. We wish we could receive you
into our society to undergo the same penance we are performing,
and which we know not the duration of; but we have before
informed you of the motives which prevent us. You must therefore
take your departure, and go to the court of Bagdad, where you will
meet with the person who will be able to decide your fate.” They
pointed out the road I was to follow; I then took my leave and
departed.

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

the habit of a calender. I was a long time on the road, and it was only
this evening that I arrived in this city. At the entrance of one of the
gates I encountered these two calenders, my brethren, who were
equally strangers with myself. We were all much surprised with
each other, at the singular circumstance of having each lost our right
eye. We had not, however, much leisure to converse on the subject of
our mutual disgraceful misfortune. We had only time, madam, to
implore your assistance, and which you have so generously afforded
us.

When the third calender had finished the recital of his history,
Zobeidè, addressing herself both to him and his brethren, said,
“Depart; you are all three at liberty to go wherever you
please.”—“Pardon, madam,” answered one of them, “we beg of you,
our curiosity, and permit us to stay and hear the adventures of these
gentlemen who have not yet spoken. The lady then turned to the
side where the caliph, the vizier Giafar, and Mesrour, of whose real
situation and character she was still ignorant, were, and desired each
of them to relate his history.

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

immediately answered Zobeidè. “In order to obey you, madam,”
said he, “we have only to repeat to you what we already related
before we entered. We are,” he continued, “merchants of Moussoul,
and we are come to Bagdad for the purpose of trading with our
merchandise, which we have placed in the warehouses belonging to
the khan where we live. We dined to-day together, with many others
of our profession, at a merchant’s of this city, who, after treating us
with the most delicate viands and finest wines, had ordered a
company of male and female dancers, and a set of musicians, both
vocal and instrumental. The great noise and uproar which we all
made, attracted the notice of the watch, who came and arrested
many of the guests, but we had the good fortune to escape. As,
however, it was so very late, and the door of our khan would be
shut, we knew not where to go to. It happened accidentally, that we
passed through your street, and as we heard the sounds of pleasure
and gaiety within your walls, we determined to knock at the door.
This is the only relation we have to make, and which we have done
according to your commands.”

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

what she should say; which the three calenders observing, they
entreated her to be equally generous to the three pretended
merchants of Moussoul, as she had been to them. “Well then,” she
cried, “I agree to it. I wish all of you to be under the same obligation
to me. I will therefore do you this favor, but it is only on condition
that you instantly quit this house, and go wherever you please.
Zobeidè gave this order in a tone of voice, that showed she meant to
be obeyed: the caliph, the vizier, Mesrour, the three calenders, and
the porter, therefore, went away without replying a word; for the
presence of the seven armed slaves served to make them very
respectful. They had no sooner left the house, and the door was shut,
than the caliph said to the three calenders, at the same time without
letting them know who he was, “What, gentlemen, as you are
strangers, and but just arrived in this city, do you intend to do? and
which way do you think of going, as it is not yet day-light?”—“This
very thing, sir,” answered they, “much embarrasses us.”—“Follow
us, then,” replied the caliph, “and we will relieve you from this
difficulty.” He then whispered his vizier, and ordered him to
conduct them to his own house, and bring them to the palace in the
morning. “I wish,” added he, “to have their adventures written; for
they are worthy of a place in the annals of my reign.”
 The vizier Giafar carried the three calenders home; the porter went
to his own house, and the caliph, accompanied by Mesrour, returned
to his palace. He retired to his couch, but his mind was so entirely
occupied by all the extraordinary things he had both seen and heard,
he was unable to close his eyes. He was particularly anxious to know
who Zobeidè was, and the motives she could possibly have for
treating the two black dogs so ill; and also the reason that Aminè’s
bosom was so covered with scars. The morning at length broke
while he was still engaged with these reflections. He immediately
got up, and went into the room where he held his councils; he then
gave audience, and seated himself on his throne.

It was not long before the grand vizier arrived, who directly went
through the usual ceremonies of respect. “Vizier,” said the caliph to
him, “the business which is now before us is not very pressing; that
of the three ladies and the two black dogs is of more consequence,
nor will my mind be free from agitation till I am fully informed of
every thing that has caused me so much astonishment. Go and order
these ladies to attend, and at the same time bring back the three
calenders with you. Begone, and remember I am impatient for your
return.”

The vizier, who was well acquainted with the quick and violent
disposition of his master, hastened to obey him. He arrived at the
house of the ladies, and informed them, with as much politeness as
possible, of the orders he had received to conduct them to the caliph;
but did not hint at any thing relative to what passed the night before.

The ladies immediately put on their veils, and went along with the
vizier, who, in passing his own door, called for the calenders. They
had just learnt that they had before seen the caliph, and had even
spoken to him without even knowing it was he. The vizier brought
them all to the palace, and executed his commission with so much
diligence, that the caliph was perfectly satisfied. This prince ordered
the ladies to stand behind the door-way, which led to his own
apartment, in order to preserve a certain decorum before the officers
of his household. He kept the three calenders near him, who made it
sufficiently apparent, by their respectful behaviour, that they were
not ignorant in whose presence they had the honour to appear.

When the ladies were seated, the caliph turned himself towards
them, and said, “When I inform you, ladies, that I introduced myself
to you last night, disguised as a merchant, I shall without doubt
cause you some alarm: you are afraid, probably, that you offended
me, and you think, perhaps, that I have ordered you to come here
only to show you some marks of my resentment; but be of good
courage, and be assured that I have forgotten what is past, and that I
am even very well satisfied with your conduct. I wish that all the
ladies of Bagdad were possessed of as much sense as I have
observed in you. I shall always remember the moderation with
which you conducted yourselves after the incivility we were guilty
of towards you. I was then a simple merchant of Moussoul, but I am
now Haroun Alraschid, the seventh caliph of the glorious house of
Abbas, which holds the place of our great prophet. I have ordered
you here only for the sake of being informed who you are, and to
inquire of you for what reason one of you, after having ill-treated the
two black dogs, wept with them. Nor am I less curious to learn why
the bosom of another became so covered with scars.”

Though the caliph pronounced these words very distinctly, and

the three ladies understood them very well, the vizier Giafar, as was
the custom, did not fail to repeat them. The prince had no sooner
encouraged Zobeidè by this speech, which he addressed to her, than
she gave him the satisfaction he required, in the following manner.
 THE HISTORY

OF ZOBEIDÈ.

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

to your majesty is, probably, one of the most surprising you have
ever heard. The two black dogs and myself are three sisters by the
same mother and father; and I shall, in the course of my narration,
inform you by what strange accident they have been transformed
into these animals. The two ladies who live with me, and who are
now here, are also my sisters by the same father, but by a different
mother. She, whose bosom is covered with scars, is called Aminè;
the name of the other is Safiè; and I am called Zobeidè.

After the death of our father, the estate which he left us was
equally divided amongst us. When my two half-sisters had received
their share, they went and lived with their mother; my other two
sisters and I remained with ours, who was still alive, and who, when
she died, left a thousand sequins to each of us. When we had
received what belonged to us, my two elder sisters, for I am the
youngest, married. They of course went to live with their husbands,
and left me alone. Not long after their marriage, the husband of my
eldest sister sold every thing he possessed, both of estate and
moveables, and with the money he thus got together, and with what
he received also with my sister, they both of them went over to
Africa. Her husband there squandered away, in good living and
dissipation, not only all his own fortune, but also that which my
sister brought him. At length, finding himself reduced to the greatest
distress, he found out some pretext for a divorce, and drove her
from him.
 She returned to Bagdad, but not without suffering almost
incredible evils during so long a journey. She came to seek a refuge
at my house in a state so deserving of pity, that she would have
excited it even in the most obdurate hearts. I received her with every
mark of affection she could expect from me; I inquired of her how
she came to be in so wretched a condition; she informed me with
tears in her eyes of the bad conduct of her husband, and of the
unworthy treatment she had experienced from him. I was affected at
her misfortunes, and mingled my tears with hers. I then made her go
to the bath, and supplied her from my own wardrobe; this being
done, I addressed these words to her: “You are my eldest sister, and
I shall always look upon you as a mother. During your absence, God
has caused the little fortune which has fallen to my lot to prosper;
and the occupation I have followed has been that of breeding and
bringing up silk-worms. Be assured, that every thing I possess is
equally yours, and that you have the same power of disposing of it
as myself.”

From this time we lived together in the same house for many
months in perfect harmony. We often talked about our other sister,
and were much surprised at never hearing any thing of her. At last
she unexpectedly arrived, and in as miserable a state as the eldest
had done. Her husband had ill-treated her in a similar manner, and I
received her with the same kindness.

Some time after this, both my sisters, under the pretence, as they
said, that they were a considerable burden to me, informed me that
they had thoughts of marrying again. I told them, that if the only
reason for this intention was the idea of being an expense to me, I
begged they would continue to live with me without thinking of
that, as my income was sufficient for us all three to live in the style
and manner suitable to our condition; but I added, “I really think
you wish to marry again. If that be the fact I am, I own, very much
astonished at it. How can you, after the experience you have had of
the small degree of satisfaction and comfort attached to that state,
ever think of it a second time? You must be very well aware, that it is
not common to meet with a virtuous and good husband. Believe me,
it is better to continue to live together, and much the most
agreeable.”

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

determined in their own minds to marry, and they executed their
intentions. At the end, however, of a few months, they came again to
me, and made a thousand excuses for not having followed my
advice. “You are, it is true, our youngest sister,” they said, “but you
possess more sense than we do. If you will once more receive us into
your house, and only consider us as your slaves, we will never again
be guilty of such a fault.”—“My dear sisters,” answered I, “my
regard for you is not changed since last we parted. Return, and enjoy
with me whatever I possess.” I embraced them, and we lived
together as before.

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

that God had blessed my small fortune, I determined to make a sea
voyage, and risk some part of it in a commercial speculation. With
this view I went with my two sisters to Balsora, where I purchased a
vessel ready for sea, which I loaded with the merchandize I had
brought with me from Bagdad. We set sail with a favourable wind,
and soon reached the Persian gulf. When we were in the open sea,
we steered directly for India: and after twenty days sail, we made
land. The first that appeared was a very high mountain, at the foot of
which we perceived a town, of considerable beauty and magnitude.
As the wind was fresh, we soon arrived in the harbour, where we
cast anchor.

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

me; I therefore disembarked by myself, and went directly to the gate
of the town. I observed rather a numerous guard, most of them
sitting down, and others, who were standing with clubs in their
hands. But the aspect of all of them was so hideous, it frightened me.
I saw, however, they did not stir, and even that their eyes were
motionless. This gave me courage, and on approaching still nearer to
them, I perceived they were all petrified. I then entered the town,
and passed through several streets, in all of which I observed men in
every attitude, but they were without motion, and absolutely turned
to stone. In the quarter of the town where the merchants resided, I
found many shops shut up; and in some that were open I perceived
other men, who were also petrified. I looked up towards the
chimneys, and as I perceived no smoke, I concluded that those who
were in the houses were exactly in the same situation as every one in
the streets, and that all the inhabitants were changed into stone.

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

discovered a great gate, covered with plates of gold, the two folding-
doors of which were open; a silk curtain seemed drawn before it,
and I could perceive a lamp suspended from the inside of the gate.
After having considered this building some time, I did not doubt but
it was the palace of the prince to whom this country belonged.
Having been much astonished at not meeting with any one living
person, I went in there, through the hopes of discovering some one. I
drew aside the curtain; and my astonishment was much increased,
when I saw in the vestibule a number of porters, or guards, some of
them standing, others sitting down, and every one of them petrified.

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

seemed in the very act of going out, and others of entering;
nevertheless they all remained in the same place, since they also
were turned to stone, in the same manner as those which I had
before seen. I passed on to a second court, and from thence to a
third; but they were both deserted, and a sort of horrid silence
reigned throughout the place. Having advanced to a fourth court, I
saw opposite to me a very beautiful building, the windows of which
were shut with a trellis of massive gold. I concluded, that this was
the apartment of the queen. I entered, and going into a large hall, I
saw many black petrified eunuchs; I immediately passed on, and
went into a chamber very richly decorated, in which I perceived a
lady, who was also transformed to stone: I knew that this was the
queen, by a crown of gold which she had upon her head; and by a
necklace of pearls, which were as large and round as small nuts. I
examined them very nearly, and thought I had never seen any more
beautiful.

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

of this apartment, and above all the carpet, the cushions, and a sofa,
which was covered with Indian stuff, of a gold ground, upon which
there were the figures of men and of animals in silver, of very
superior workmanship. From the chamber of the petrified queen I
passed on through many other magnificent apartments, of various
descriptions, until I came to one of an immense size, in which there
was a throne of massive gold, raised a few steps above the floor,
enriched with large emeralds. Upon the throne there was a bed
formed of very rich stuff, round which there was a border of pearls;
but what surprised me more than all the rest, was a very brilliant
light, which seemed to issue from above the bed. I was curious to
discover what was the cause of it; I ascended therefore, and leaning
my head forward, I perceived upon a small stool, a diamond as large
as an ostrich’s egg, and so perfect, that I could discover no defect in
it. It sparkled so much, that I could scarcely support the brilliancy of
it, when I looked at it by day-light.

There was a bolster upon each side of the bed, and a large lighted
torch, the use of which I did not understand. This circumstance,
however, led me to conclude, that there was some one alive in this
superb palace; for I could not suppose, that these torches could
continue burning of themselves. Many other singularities struck my
attention in this chamber; but the diamond alone, which I have just
mentioned, rendered it inestimable.
 As all the doors were either wide open or only just pushed close, I
passed through still more apartments, as beautiful as those which I
had before seem I then went to the offices and store-rooms, which
were filled with innumerable riches: and I was so much engaged in
observing all these wonders that I absolutely forgot myself. I
thought neither of my vessel, nor of my sisters, but was anxious only
to satisfy my curiosity. In the mean time night came on, and its
approach told me it was time to retire. I then wished to go back the
same way I came, but it was no easy matter to find it again. I
wandered about through the apartments, and finding myself in the
large chamber, in which were the throne, the bed, the large
diamond, and the lighted torches, I resolved to pass the night there,
and early the next morning to go back to my vessel. I threw myself
upon the bed, though not without some fear, in recollecting that I
was alone in so deserted a place; and it was this fear, without doubt,
which prevented me from sleeping.

It was now about midnight, when I heard a voice like that of a

man, who was reading the koran, in the same manner, and in a
similar tone, as it was the custom to read it in our temples. This gave
me great joy; I immediately got up, and taking a torch to light me, I
went on from one chamber to another, on that side whence I heard
the voice. I stopped at the door of a cabinet, from which I was sure
the voice issued: I laid down the torch on the ground, and looking in
through a small opening, it seemed to me to be an oratory. I
perceived within it, as in our temples, a sort of niche, which pointed
out the way it was necessary to turn, when we repeated our prayers.
There were also some lamps suspended, and also two chandeliers
containing large candles made of white wax, all of which were
lighted.

I perceived, also, a small carpet, spread out in the same manner as

those which we spread with us, in order to kneel upon, when we
pray. A young man, of a pleasant countenance, was seated upon this
carpet, and recited, with great attention, from the koran, which lay
before him upon a small desk.—Astonished and delighted at this
sight, I endeavoured to account how it happened that he was the
only person alive in a town, where every one else was petrified; and
I did not doubt but that there was something very extraordinary in
this.

As the door was scarcely shut, I entered, and, placing myself

before the niche, I made the following prayer aloud:—

“God be praised, for having granted us so prosperous a voyage:

may he continue to favour us with his protection, till we arrive in
our own country. Listen to me, O Lord, and grant my prayer.” The
young man then cast his eyes upon me, and said, “I entreat you, my
good lady, to tell me who you are, and what has brought you to this
desolate town? I will inform you, in return, who I am, what has
happened to me, and for what reason the inhabitants of this town
are reduced to the condition you have seen; and how it happens
also, that I alone am safe, and have escaped so dreadful a disaster.”

I related to him, in a few words, whence I came, what had induced

me to make this voyage, and how I had fortunately arrived at this
port, after twenty days sail. Having said this, I entreated him, in his
turn, to fulfil the promise he had made me; and I remarked to him
how much I had been struck by the frightful desolation which I had
observed in all the places through which I had passed.

“My dear lady,” then replied the young man, “have a moment’s
patience.” At these words he shut the koran, put it into a rich case,
and laid it in the niche. I took this opportunity to observe him very
accurately, and I perceived so much grace and beauty in his
countenance, that I felt an emotion I had been, till now, a stranger to.
He made me sit down near him, and before he began his relation, I
could not refrain from saying to him, with an air by which he might
discover the sentiments he had inspired; “It is impossible for any
one to wait with more impatience than I do, for the explanation of so
many surprising things, which have struck my sight, from the first
step I set in this town; nor can my curiosity be too soon gratified:
speak, I conjure you, dear object of my soul; tell me by what miracle
you alone are alive amidst so many persons, who seem to have died
in such an uncommon manner.”

“You have made it very apparent, madam, by the prayer you have
addressed to Him,” replied the young man, “that you are not
ignorant of the true God. I am now about to inform you of a
remarkable instance of his greatness and power. You must know,
that this city was the capital of a very powerful kingdom, of the
same name and title as that of the king, my father. This prince, as
well as all his court, the inhabitants of this city, and also all his other
subjects, were of the religion of Magi, idolaters of fire, and of
Nardoun, the ancient king of the giants, who rebelled against God.

“Although both my father and mother were idolaters, I had in my

infancy the good fortune to have a governess, or nurse, who was of
the true religion: she was thoroughly acquainted with the koran,
could repeat it by art, and explain it perfectly well. “My prince,” she
would often say to me, “there is only one true God; take care how
you acknowledge and adore any other.” She taught me also to read
the Arabic language, and the book which she gave me for this
purpose was the koran. I was no sooner capable of understanding it,
than she explained to me all the particular points of that admirable
book: she made me enter thoroughly into the spirit of it, entirely
unknown to my father, and every one besides. She at length died;
but it was not before she had given me all the instruction that was
necessary to convince me most completely of the truths of the
Mussulman religion. After her death, I remained constant and firm
in the sentiments and opinions she had instilled into me; and I felt a
perfect abhorrence for the god Nardown, and the worship of fire.
 “About three years and a few months ago, a voice, like thunder,
was heard on a sudden all over the town, so very distinctly, that no
individual lost a single word. The words were these: “Inhabitants,
abandon the worship of Nardoun, and of fire; and adore the only
God, who shows mercy.”

“The same voice was heard three successive years, yet not one
person was converted. On the last day of the third year, between
three and four o’clock in the morning, every one of the inhabitants
were in an instant transformed into stones; each remaining in the
very posture and spot he then happened to be in. The king, my
father, experienced the same fate; he was changed to a black stone,
as you might see in a part of the palace; and the queen, my mother,
experienced a similar transformation.

“I am the only person on whom God has not inflicted this terrible
punishment. From this moment I have continued to serve him with
greater zeal than ever, and I am well persuaded, my dear lady, that
he has sent you for my consolation and comfort. How much do I
thank him for his great mercies; for I own to you, that this solitude
was become quite distressing.”

This narrative, and more particularly the latter part, still farther
increased my attachment to the prince. “I can no longer doubt,” I
said to him, “that Providence has conducted me to your country for
the express purpose of enabling you to leave so melancholy a spot.
The vessel in which I arrived, may lead you to conclude, that I am of
some consequence in Bagdad, where I have left things of equal value
with those I have brought. I can venture to offer you a safe retreat
there, till the powerful Commander of the Faithful, the vicar of our
great Prophet, whom you are not ignorant of, shall have bestowed
upon you all the honours you so well deserve. This illustrious prince
resides at Bagdad; and be assured he will no sooner be informed of
your arrival in his capital, than you will acknowledge you have not
sought his assistance in vain. It is not possible for you to live any
longer in a city where every object is become insupportable to you.
My vessel is at your service, and you may dispose of it at your
pleasure.” He joyfully accepted the offer, and we passed the rest of
the night in talking of our voyage.

As soon as the morning appeared, we departed from the palace,

and went towards the harbour; where we found my sisters, the
captain, and my slaves, all in great pain about my safety. After
introducing my sisters to the prince, I informed them of the reason
that had prevented my return on the preceding day; I related to
them also my adventures, how I met the young prince, his history,
and the cause of the entire desolation which reigned over the whole
of so beautiful a city.

The sailors were many days engaged in landing the merchandize

which I had brought with me, and in shipping, in the place of it, the
most valuable and precious things we could find in the palace, in
silver, in gold, and in jewels. We left behind us all the furniture, and
a multitude of articles worked in gold, because we had no room to
stow them in. Many vessels would have been necessary to have
transported to Bagdad all the riches we saw in this city.

After we had filled the ship with whatever we wished to carry

away, we set sail with the wind as favourable as we could wish;
having first taken in such a supply of provisions and water as we
judged sufficient for our voyage. Of the former indeed there yet
remained a considerable quantity, which we had brought from
Bagdad.

From the commencement of our voyage, the young prince, my

sisters, and myself, entertained ourselves very agreeably every day:
but alas! this harmony and good humour did not last long. My
sisters became jealous of the good understanding which they
observed to subsist between the prince and myself: and in a
malicious manner asked me what I intended to do with him, when
we arrived at Bagdad. I was very well aware, that they put this
question to me only for the purpose of discovering my sentiments. I
therefore pretended to give the matter a pleasant turn, and jocosely
told them I intended to make him my husband; then turning directly
to the prince, I said to him, “I entreat you, my prince, to accede to
my plan. As soon as we arrive at Bagdad, it is my intention to offer
you my person as the humblest of your slaves, to render you every
service in my power, and to acknowledge you as absolute master
over my actions.”

“Madam,” replied the prince, “I know not whether you say this in
joke or not; but with respect to myself, I declare most seriously,
before these ladies, your sisters, that I accept from this instant the
offer you have now made me, most willingly; not indeed to consider
you in the light of my slave, but as my mistress and wife, and I here
claim no power whatever over your actions.”—At this speech my
sisters instantly changed colour; and from this moment I observed,
that they no longer continued to have the same regard for me as
before.

We had already reached the Persian gulf, and were very near
Balsora; where, if the wind proved strong and favourable, I hoped to
arrive on the following day. But in the night, while I was fast asleep,
my sisters seized that opportunity to throw me into the sea: they
treated the prince also in the same manner; and he was
unfortunately drowned. For some moments I supported myself on
the surface of the water; and by good fortune, or rather by a miracle,
I afterwards touched the bottom. I advanced forward towards
something that appeared very black, and which, as well as the
obscurity would suffer me to distinguish, I conjectured to be land. I
happily gained the shore, and when the day appeared, I found that I
was in a small desert island, about twenty miles from the town of
Balsora. I immediately dried my clothes in the sun, and in walking
about I discovered many sorts of fruit, and also a spring of fresh
water. From these circumstances I had great hopes of being able to
preserve my life.

I then went and reposed myself in the shade, and while there, I
observed a very large and long serpent with wings. It advanced
towards me, first moving on one side and then on the other, with its
tongue hanging out of its mouth. From this I conjectured it had
received some injury. I immediately got up, and perceived that it
was pursued by another serpent still larger, who held it fast by the
end of its tail, and was endeavouring to devour it. This excited my
compassion; and instead of running away, I had the boldness and
courage to take up a stone, which I accidentally found near me, and
let it fall with all my strength on the larger serpent: I struck it on its
head, and crushed it to pieces. The other, finding itself at liberty,
immediately opened its wings and flew away. I continued to look for
some time at this very extraordinary animal; but having lost sight of
it, I again seated myself in the shade in another spot, and fell asleep.

Conceive what was my astonishment, when I awoke, to find close

by my side a black woman, of a lively and agreeable expression of
countenance, holding by a chain two dogs of the same colour. I
immediately sat up, and asked her who she was.—“I am,” she
replied, “that serpent which you delivered not long since from its
most cruel enemy. I imagined I could not better repay the important
services you had rendered me, than by what I have just now
performed. I was well acquainted with the treachery of your sisters,
and to gratify your revenge, as soon as I was delivered by your
generous assistance, I collected together a great many of my
companions, who are fairies like myself: we immediately
transported all the lading of your vessel to your warehouses at
Bagdad; and we then sunk the ship. These two black dogs, which
you see here, are your sisters; I have given them that form; but this
punishment will not be sufficient, and I wish you to treat them in the
manner I am going to point out.”
 At this instant the fairy took both the two black dogs and myself in
her arms, and transported us to Bagdad, where I perceived, laid up
in my warehouse, all the riches with which my vessel had been
laden. Before the fairy left me she delivered to me the two black
dogs, and spoke as follows: “I command you, by order of Him who
can subvert the seas, and under the penalty of being changed to a
similar animal, to inflict upon each of your sisters, every night, one
hundred lashes with a whip; as a punishment for the crime they
have been guilty of towards you and the young prince, whom they
have drowned.” I felt myself obliged to promise to execute what she
required.

Every evening from that instant I have, though unwillingly,

treated them in the manner your majesty was a witness to last night.
I endeavour to express to them, by my tears, with what repugnance
and grief I fulfil my cruel duty; and in all this you may plainly
perceive, that I am rather to be pitied than blamed. If there be any
thing else that regards me, and of which you may wish to be
informed, my sister Aminè, by the recital of her history, will afford
you every explanation.

The caliph, after having listened with admiration and

astonishment to the adventures of Zobeidè, desired his grand vizier
Giafar, to request the agreeable Aminè to explain by what means she
became so covered with scars. The latter, addressing herself to the
caliph, began her history in the following manner.