 Section 12 of the Arabian Nights Entertainments, 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 John Pruden. The Arabian Nights Entertainments, Volume 1. By Anonymous. Translated by Dr. Jonathan Scott. Section 12. The History of the First Calendar. Madam, in order to inform you how I lost my right eye, and while I was obliged to put myself into a calendar's habit, I must tell you that I am a sultan's son born. My father had a brother who reigned over a neighboring kingdom, and the prince, his son and I, were nearly of the same age. After I had learned my exercises, the sultan my father granted me such liberty as suited my dignity. I went regularly every year to see my uncle, at whose court I amused myself for a month or two, and then returned again to my father's. These journeys cemented a firm and intimate friendship between the prince, my cousin, and myself. The last time I saw him, he received me with greater demonstrations of tenderness than he had done at any time before, and resolving one day to give me a treat he made great preparations for that purpose. We continued a long time at table, and after we had both subbed, cousin said he, you will hardly be able to guess how I have been employed since your last departure from hence, about a year past. I have had a great many men at work to perfect a design I have formed. I have caused an edifice to be built, which is now finished so as to be habitable. You will not be displeased if I shoo at you. But first you are to promise me upon oath that you will keep my secret, according to the confidence I propose in you. The affection and familiarity that subsisted between us would not allow me to refuse him anything. I very readily took the oath required of me upon which he said to me, Stay here till I return, I will be with you in a moment, and accordingly he came with a lady in his hand of singular beauty and magnificently apparelled. He did not intimate who she was, neither did I think it would be polite to inquire. We sat down again with this lady at table, where we continued some time conversing upon indifferent subjects, and now and then filling a glass to each other's health. After which the prince said, Cousin, we must lose no time, therefore pray oblige me by taking this lady along with you and conducting her to such a place where you will see a tomb newly built in form of a dome. You will easily know it that gate is open, enter it together and tarry till I come, which will be very speedily. Being true to my oath I made no father inquiry, but took the lady by the hand and by the directions which the prince, my cousin had given me. I brought her to this place. We were scarcely got thither when we saw the prince following us, carrying a pitcher of water, a hatchet, and a little bag of mortar. The hatchet served him to break down the empty sepulchre in the middle of the tomb. He took away the stones one after another and laid them in a corner. He then dug up the ground where I saw a trap door under the sepulchre, which he lifted up and underneath perceived the head of a staircase leading into a vault. Then my cousin, speaking to the lady, said, Madam, it is by this way that we are to go to the place I told you of. Upon which the lady advanced and went down and the prince began to follow, but first turning to me said, My dear cousin, I am infinitely obliged to you for the trouble you have taken. I thank you. I do. Dear cousin, I cried. What is the meaning of this? Be content, he replied. You may return the way you came. I could get nothing farther from him but was obliged to take my leave. As I returned to my uncle's palace, the vapours of the wine got up into my head. However, I reached my apartment and went to bed. Next morning, when I awoke, I began to reflect upon what had happened and after recollecting all the circumstances of such a singular adventure, I fancied it was nothing but a dream. Full of these thoughts, I sent to inquire if the prince my cousin was ready to receive a visit from me. But when they brought back word that he did not lie in his own lodgings that night, that they knew not what was become of him, and were in much trouble in consequence, I conceived that the strange event of the tomb was too true. I was sensibly afflicted and went to the public burying place where there were several tombs like that which I had seen. I spent the day in viewing them one after another but could not find that I sought for, and thus I spent four days successively in vain. You must know that all this while the sultan my uncle was absent and had been hunting for several days, I grew weary of waiting for him. And having prayed his ministers to make my apology at his return, left his palace and set out towards my father's court. I left the ministers of the sultan my uncle in great trouble, surmising what was become of the prince, but because of my oath to keep his secret, I would just not tell them what I had seen. I arrived at my father's capital where, contrary to custom, I found a numerous guard at the gate of the palace who surrounded me as I entered. I asked the reason, and the commanding officer replied, Prince, the army has proclaimed a grand visier instead of your father, who is dead, and I take you prisoner in the name of the new sultan. At these words the guards laid hold of me and carried me before the tyrant, I leave you to judge, madam, how much I was surprised and grieved. This rebel visier had long entertained a mortal hatred against me for this reason. When I was stripling I loved to shoot with a crossbow, and being one day upon the terrace of the palace with my bow a bird happening to come by, I shot but missed him, and the ball by Miss Fortune hit the visier who was taking the air upon the terrace of his own house and put out one of his eyes. As soon as I understood this I not only sent to make my excuse to him but did it in person, yet he never forgave me and, as opportunity offered, made me sensible of his resentment. But now that he had me in his power he expressed his feelings for he came to me like a madman and soon as he saw me and thrusting his finger into my right eye pulled it out and thus I became blind of one eye. But the usurper's cruelty did not stop here. He ordered me to be shot up in a machine and commanded the executioner to carry me into the country to cut off my head and leave me to be devoured by birds of prey. The executioner conveyed me thus, shut up into the country in order to execute the barbarous sentence but by my prayers and tears I moved the man's compassion. Go, he said to me, get you speedily out of the kingdom and take heed of returning or you will certainly meet your own ruined and be the cause of mine. I thanked him for the favor he did me and as soon as I was left alone comforted myself with the loss of my eye by considering that I had very narrowly escaped a much greater evil. Being in such a condition I could not travel far at a time. I retired to remote places during the day and traveled as far by night as my strength would allow me. At last I arrived at the dominions of the salt in my uncle and came to his capital. I gave him a long detail in return and of the sad condition he saw me in. Alas, cried he, was it not enough for me to have lost my son but must I have also news of the death of a brother I love so dearly and see you reduced to this deplorable condition? He told me how uneasy he was that he could hear nothing of his son notwithstanding all the inquiry he could make. At these words the unfortunate father burst into tears so much afflicted that pitying his grief it was impossible for me to keep the secret any longer so that notwithstanding my oath to the prince my cousin I told the sultan all I knew. His majesty listened to me with some sort of comfort and when I had done nephew said he, what you tell me gives me some hope. I knew that my son ordered that tomb to be built and I can guess pretty nearly the place and with the idea you still have of it I fancy we shall find it but since he ordered it to be built privately and you took your oath to keep his secret I am of opinion that we ought to go in quest of it without other attendants but he had another reason for keeping the matter secret which he did not then tell me and an important one it was as you will perceive by the sequel of my story. We disguised ourselves and went out by the door of the garden which opened into the fields and soon found what we sought for. I knew the tomb and was the more rejoiced because I had formally sought it a long time in vain we entered and found the iron trap pulled down at the head of the staircase we had great difficulty raising it because the prince had fastened it inside with the water and mortar formerly mentioned but at last we succeeded. The sultan my uncle distended first I followed and then went down about fifty steps when we came to the foot of the stairs we found a sort of anti chamber full of thick smoke and an ill scent which obscured the lamp that gave a very faint light from this anti chamber we came into another very large supported by columns and lighted by several branched candlesticks there was a system in the middle and provisions of several sorts stood on one side of it but we were much surprised not to see any person before us there appeared a higher strad supported by several steps and upon this there was a large bed with curtains drawn the sultan went up and opening the curtains perceived the prince his son and the lady in bed together but burnt and changed to cinder as if they had been thrown into a fire and taken out before they were consumed but what surprised me most was that though this spectacle filled me with horror the sultan my uncle instead of testifying his sorrow to see the prince his son in such a condition spat on his face and exclaimed with a disdainful air this is the punishment of this world but that of the other will last to eternity and not content with this he pulled off his sandal and gave the corpse of his son a blow on the cheek I cannot adequately express how much I was astonished when I saw the sultan my uncle abuse his son thus after he was dead sir said I whatever grief this dismal sight is impressed upon me I am forced to suspend it to inquire of your majesty what crime the prince my cousin may have committed that his corpse should deserve such indignant treatment nephew replied the sultan I must tell you that my son who is unworthy of that name loved his sister from infancy as she did him I did not check their growing fondness because I did not foresee its pernicious consequence this tenderness increased as they grew in years and to such a height that I dreaded the end of it at last I applied such remedies as were in my power I not only gave my son a severe reprimand in private laying before him the horrible nature of the passion he entertained and the eternal disgrace he would bring upon my family if he persisted but I also represented the same to my daughter and shut her up so close that she could have no conversation with her brother but that unfortunate creature had swallowed so much of the poison that all the obstacles which by my prudence I could lay in the way served only to inflame her love my son being persuaded of his sister's constancy on presence of building a tomb caused this subterraneous habitation to be made in hopes of finding one day or other opportunity to possess himself of that object which was the cause of his flame and to bring her hither he took advantage of my absence to enter by force into the place of his sister's confinement but this was a circumstance which my honor would not suffer me to make public and after so damnable an action he came and shut himself up with her in this place which he has supplied as you see with all sorts of provisions that he might enjoy detestable pleasures which ought to be the subject of horror to all the world but God who would not suffer such an abomination has justly punished them both at these words he melted into tears and I joined mine with his after a while casting his eyes upon me dear nephew cried he embracing me if I have lost that unworthy son I shall happily find in you what will better supply his place the reflections he made on the doleful end of the prince and princess his daughter made us both weep afresh we ascended the stairs again and departed at last from that dismal place we let down the trapdoor and covered it with earth and such other materials as the tomb was built of on purpose to hide as much delay in our power so terrible in effect of the wrath of God we had not been long returned to the palace unperceived by anyone but we heard a confused noise of trumpets drums and other instruments of war we soon understood by the thick cloud of dust which almost darkened the air that it was the arrival of a formidable army and it proved to be the same visier that had dethroned my father and usurped his place who with a vast number of troops was come to possess himself of that also of the Sultan my uncle my uncle who then had only his usual guards about him could not resist so numerous an army they invested the city and the gates being open to them without any resistance soon became masters of it and broke into the palace where my uncle defended himself and sold his life at a dear rate I fought as valiantly for a while but seeing we were forced to submit to a superior power I thought on my retreat which I had the good fortune to effect by some back ways and got to one of the Sultan's servants whose fidelity I could depend being thus surrounded was sorrows and persecuted fortune I had recourse to a stratagem which was the only means left me to save my life I cost my beard and eyebrows to be shaved and putting on a calendar's habit I passed unknown by any out of the city after that by degrees I found it easy to quit my uncle's kingdom by taking the by-roads I avoided passing through towns until I had reached the empire of the mighty governor of the Musul Mounds the glorious and renowned Khalif Haroon Al-Rushid when I thought myself out of danger and considering what I was to do I resolved to come to Baghdad intending to throw myself at the feet of that monarch whose generosity is renowned throughout the world I shall move him to compassion, said I to myself by the relation of my uncommon misfortunes and without doubt he will take pity on a persecuted prince and not suffer me to implore his assistance in vain in short after a journey of several months I arrived yesterday at the gate of this city into which I entered about the dusk of evening stopping a little while to consider which way I was to turn another calendar came up he saluted me and I him you appear said I to be a stranger as I am you are not mistaken replied he he had no sooner return this answer than a third calendar overtook us he saluted us and told us he was a stranger newly come to Baghdad so that as brethren we joined together resolving not to separate from one another it was now late and we knew not where to seek a lodging in the city where we had never been before but good fortune having brought us to your gate we made bold to knock when you received us with so much kindness that we are incapable of rendering suitable thanks this madam said he is in obedience to your commands the account I was to give how I lost my right eye where for my beard and eyebrows are shaved and how I came to be with you at this time it is enough said Zabid you may retire to what place you think fit the calendar begged the ladies permission to stay till he had heard the relations of his two comrades whom I cannot said he leave with honor and that he might also hear those of the three other persons in company the story of the first calendar seemed wonderful to the whole company but especially to the caliph who not withstanding the slaves stood by with their scimitar drawn could not forbear whispering to the visier many stories have I heard but never any that equaled in surprising incident that of the calendar whilst he was saying this the second calendar began addressing himself to Zabid End of section 12 Recording by John Pruden of www.johnpruden.com Section 13 of the Arabian Nights Entertainment 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 Reynard The Arabian Nights Entertainment Volume 1 By Anonymous translated by Dr Jonathan Scott Section 13 The Story of the Second Calendar Madam, to obey your commands and to show you by what strange accident I became blind of the right eye I must of necessity give you the account of my life I was scarcely past my infancy when the sultan my father for you must know that I am a prince by birth perceived that I was endowed with good natural ability and spared nothing proper for improving it No sooner was I able to read and write but I learned the Quran from beginning to end by heart that admirable book which contains the foundation, the precepts and the rules of our religion and that I might be thoroughly instructed in it I read the works of the most approved divines by whose commentaries it had been explained I added to this study that of all the traditions collected from the mouth of our prophet by the great men that were contemporary with him I was not satisfied with the knowledge of all that had any relation to our religion but made also a particular search into our histories I made myself perfect in polite learning in the works of poets and versification I applied myself to geography, chronology and to speak the Arabian language in its purity not forgetting in the meantime all such exercises as were proper for a prince to understand but one thing which I was fond of and succeeded in was penmanship wherein I surpassed all the celebrated scribes of our kingdom fame did me more honour than I deserved for she not only spread the renown of my talents through all the dominions of the sultan, my father but carried it as far as the empire of Hindustan whose potent monarch, desirous to see me sent an ambassador with rich presence my father who rejoiced at this embassy for several reasons was persuaded that nothing could be more improving to a prince of my age than to travel and visit foreign courts and he wished to gain the friendship of the Indian monarch I departed with the ambassador but with no great retinue when we had travelled about a month we discovered at a distance a cloud of dust and under that we saw very soon fifty horsemen well armed who were robbers advancing towards us at full speed as we had ten horses laden with baggage and presents to the sultan of Hindustan from my father and my retinue was but small you may easily judge that these robbers came boldly up to us and not being in a posture to make any opposition we told them that we were ambassadors and hoped they would attempt nothing contrary to the respect due to such sacred characters thinking by this means to save our equipage and our lives but the robbers most insolently replied for what reason would you have us show as any respect to the sultan your master we are none of his subjects nor are we upon his territories having spoken thus they surrounded and fell upon us I defended myself as long as I could but finding myself wounded and seeing the ambassador with his attendance and mine lying on the ground I made use of what strength was yet remaining in my horse who was also very much wounded and rode away as fast as he could carry me but he shortly after from weariness and the loss of blood fell down dead I cleared myself from him unhurt and finding that I was not pursued judged the robbers were not willing to quit the booty they had obtained here you see me alone wounded destitute of help and in a strange country I durst not take the high road fearing I might fall again into the hands of these robbers when I had bound up my wound which was not dangerous I walked on the rest of the day and arrived at the foot of mountain where I perceived the passage into a cave I went in and stayed there that night with little satisfaction after I had eaten some fruits that I had gathered by the way I continued my journey for several days following without finding any place of abode but after a month's time I came to a large town well inhabited and situated so much the more advantageously as it was surrounded by several streams so that it enjoyed perpetual spring the pleasant objects which then presented themselves to my view afforded me some joy and suspended for a time the sorrow with which I was overwhelmed my face, hands and feet were black and sunburnt and by my long journey my boots were quite worn out so that I was forced to walk barefooted and besides my clothes were all in rags I entered the town to inform myself where I was and addressed myself to a tailor that was at work in his shop who, perceiving by my air that I was a person of more note than my outward appearance bespoke made me sit down by him and asked me who I was from whence I came and what had bought me thither I did not conceal anything that had befallen me nor made I any scruple to discover my quality the tailor listened to me with attention but after had done speaking instead of giving me any consolation he augmented my sorrow take heed he said he how you discover to any person what you have related to me for the prince of this country is the greatest enemy your father has and he will certainly do you some mischief should he hear of your being in this city I made no doubt of the tailor's sincerity when he named the prince but since the entity which is between my father and him has no relation to my adventures I pass over it in silence I return the tailor thanks for his advice expressed myself disposed to follow his counsel and assured him that his favours should never be forgotten he ordered something to be bought for me to eat and offered me at the same time a lodging in his house which I accepted some days after finding me tolerably well recovered of the fatigue I had endured by a long and tedious journey and reflecting that most princes of our religion applied themselves to some art or calling that might be serviceable to them upon occasion he asked me if I had learned any whereby I might get a livelihood and not be burdensome to others I told him that I understood the laws both divine and human that I was a grammarian and poet and above all that I could write with great perfection by all this said he you will not be able in this country to purchase yourself one morsel of bread nothing is of less use here than those sciences but if you will be advised by me dress yourself in a labourer's habit and since you appear to be strong and of a good constitution you shall go into the next forest and cut firewood which you may bring to the market to be sold I can assure you this employment will turn to so good an account that you may live by it without dependence upon any man and by this means you will be in a condition to wait for the favourable minute when heaven shall think fit to dispel those clouds of misfortune that thwart your happiness and oblide you to conceal your birth I will take care to supply you with a rope and a hatchet the fear of being known and the necessity I was under of getting a livelihood made me agree to this proposal notwithstanding the meanness and hardships that attended it the day following the tailor brought me a rope a hatchet and a short coat and recommended me to some poor people who gained their bread after the same manner that they might take me into their company they conducted me to the wood and the first day I brought in as much upon my head as procured me half a piece of gold of the money of that country for though the wood was not far distant from the town yet it was very scarce by reason that few would be at the trouble of fetching it for themselves I gained a good sum of money in a short time and repaid my tailor what he had advanced to me I continued this way of living for a whole year one day having by chance penetrated further into the wood than usual I happened to light on a pleasant spot where I began to cut and in pulling up the root of a tree I aspired an iron ring fastened to a trap door of the same metal I took away the earth that covered it and having lifted it up discovered a flight of stairs which I descended with my axe in my hand when I had reached the bottom I found myself in a palace and felt great consternation on account of a great light which appeared as clear in it as if it had been above ground in the open air I went forward along a gallery supported by pillars of Jasper the base and capitals of messy gold but seeing a lady of a noble and graceful air extremely beautiful coming towards me my eyes were taken off from every other object being desirous to spare the lady the trouble of coming to me I hastened to meet her and as I was saluting her with a low obedience she asked me what are you? a man or a genie? a man, madam said I I have no correspondence with genies by what adventure, said she fetching a deep sigh I who come hither I have lived here 25 years and you are the first man I have beheld in that time her great beauty which had already smitten me and the sweetness and civility wherewith she received me emboldened me to say madam before I have the honour to satisfy your curiosity give me leave to tell you that I am infinitely gratified with this unexpected meeting which offers me an occasion of consolation in the midst of my affliction and perhaps it may give me an opportunity of making you also more happy than you are I related to her by what strange accident she beheld me the son of a sultan in such a condition as I appeared in her presence and how fortune had directed that I should discover the entrance into that magnificent prison where I had found her according to appearance in an unpleasant situation alas, prince, said she sighing once more you have just caused to believe this rich and pompous prison cannot be otherwise than a most mirrisome abode the most charming place in the world being no way delightful when we are detained there contrary to our will it is not possible that you have heard of the sultan of the isle of Ebene so called from that precious wood which it produces in abundance I am the princess his daughter the sultan, my father had chosen for me a husband a prince who was my cousin but on my wedding night in the midst of the rejoicings of the court and capital before I was conducted to my husband a genie took me away I fainted with alarm and when I recovered found myself in this place I was long inconsolable but time and necessity have accustomed me to see and received the genie 25 years I have continued in this place where I must confess I have all that I can wish for necessary to life and also everything that can satisfy a princess fond of dress and splendour every ten days continued the princess the genie comes hither and remains with me one night which he never exceeds and the excuse he makes for it is that he is married to another wife who would grow jealous if she should know his infidelity meanwhile, if I have occasion for him by day or night as soon as I touch a talisman which is at the entrance to my chamber the genie appears it is now the fourth day since he was here and I do not expect him before the end of six more so if you please you may stay five days and I will endeavour to entertain you according to your quality and merit I thought myself too fortunate to have obtained so great a favour without asking to refuse so obliging an offer the princess made me go into a bath the most commodious and the most sumptuous imaginable and when I came forth instead of my own clothes I found another very costly suit which I did not esteem so much for its richness as because it made me appear worthy to be in her company we sat down on a sofa covered with rich tapestry with cushions of the rarest Indian brocade and sometime after she covered a table with several dishes of delicate meats we ate and passed the remaining part of the day with much satisfaction as also the evening together the next day as she contrived every means to please me she brought in at dinner a bottle of old wine most excellent as ever was tasted and out of complacence drank some part of it with me when my head grew warm with the agreeable liquor fair princess said I you have been too long thus buried alive follow me enjoy the real day of which you have been so deprived so many years and abandon this artificial though brilliant glare prince replied she with a smile leave this discourse if you out of ten days will grant me nine and resign the last of the genie the fairest day would be nothing in my esteem princess said I it is the fear of the genie that makes you speak thus for my part I value him so little that I will break in pieces his talisman with the conjuration that is written about it let him come I would expect him and how brave or redoubtable so ever he be I will make him feel the weight of my arm I swear solemnly that I will extirpate all the genies in the world and him first the princess who knew the consequence conjured me not to touch the talisman for that would be the means said she of ruining both you and me I know what belongs to genies better than you the fumes of the wine did not suffer me to harken to her reasons but I gave the talisman a kick with my foot and broke it in several places the talisman was no sooner broken than the palace began to shake and seemed ready to fall with a hideous noise like thunder accompanied with flashes of lightning and alternative darkness this terrible noise in a moment dispelled the fumes of my wine and made me sensible but too late of the folly I had committed princess cried I what means all this she answered without any concern for her own misfortune alas you are undone if you do not fly immediately I followed her advice but my fears were so great that I forgot my hatchet and cords I had scarcely reached the stairs by which I had descended when the enchanted palace opened at once and made a passage for the genie he asked the princess in great anger what has happened to you and why did you call me a violent spasm said the princess made me fetch this bottle which you see here out of which I drank twice or thrice and by mischance made a false step and fell upon the talisman which is broken and that is all at this answer the furious genie told her you are a false woman and speak not the truth how came that axe and those cords there I never saw them till this moment said the princess your coming in such an impetuous manner has it may be forced them up in some place as you came along and so brought them hither the genie made no other answer but what was accompanied with retroaches and blows of which I heard the noise I could not endure to hear the pitiful cries of the princess so cruelly abused I had already taken off the suit she had presented to me and put on my own which I had laid on the stairs the day before when I came out of the bagno I made haste upstairs the more distracted with sorrow and compassion as I had been the cause of so great a misfortune and by sacrificing the fairest princess on earth the barbarity of a merciless genie I was becoming the most criminal and ungrateful of mankind it is true said I she has been a prisoner these 25 years but liberty accepted she wanted nothing that could make her happy my folly has put an end to her happiness and brought upon her the cruelty of an unmerciful devil I let down the trapdoor covered it again with earth and returned to the city with a burden of wood which I bound up without knowing what I did so great was my trouble and sorrow my landlord the tailor was very much rejoiced to see me your absence said he has disquieted me much as you had entrusted me with the secret of your birth and I knew not what to think I was afraid somebody had discovered you God be praised for your return I thanked him for his zeal and affection but not a word durst I say of what had passed nor of the reason why I came back without my hatchet and cords I retired to my chamber while I reproached myself a thousand times for my excessive imprudence nothing said I paralleled the princess's good fortune and mine had I foreborn to break the talisman while I was thus giving myself over to melancholy thoughts the tailor came in and said an old man whom I do not know brings your hatchet and cords which he found in his way as he tells me and says he understood from your comrades that you lodge here come out and speak to him for he will deliver them to none but yourself these words I changed colour and felt a trembling while the tailor was asking me the reason my chamber door opened and the old man having no patience to stay appeared to us with my hatchet and cords this was the genie the ravisher of the fair princess of the Isle of Ebene who had thus disguised himself after he had treated her with the utmost barbarity I am a genie said he was speaking to me son of the daughter of Eblis prince of genies is not this your hatchet are not these your cords after the genie had put the question to me he gave me no time to answer nor was it in my power so much had his terrible aspect disordered me he grasped me by the middle dragged me out of the chamber and mounting into the air carried me up to the skies such swiftness that I was not able to take notice of the way he conveyed me he descended again in like manner to the earth which on a sudden he caused you open with a stroke of his foot and sunk down at once when I found myself in the enchanted palace before the fair princess of the Isle of Ebene but alas what a spectacle was there I saw what pierced me to the heart this poor princess was quite naked weltering in her blood and laid upon the ground more like one dead than alive with her cheeks bathed in tears perfidious wretch said the genie to her pointing at me is not this your gallant she cast her languishing eyes upon me and answered mournfully I do not know him I never saw him till this moment what? said the genie he is the cause of thy being in the condition thou art justly in and yet darest thou say thou dost not know him if I do not know him said the princess would you have me lie on purpose to ruin him oh then said the genie pulling out a scimita and presenting it to the princess if you never saw him before take this and cut off his head alas replied the princess how is it possible that I should execute such an act my strength is so fast-bent that I cannot lift up my arm and if I could how should I have the heart to take away the life of an innocent man and one whom I do not know this refusal said the genie to the princess sufficiently informs me of your crime upon which turning to me and thou said he does thou not know her I should have been the most ungrateful wretch a most perfidious of all mankind if I had not strewn myself as faithful to the princess as she had been to me who had been the cause of her misfortunes I therefore answered the genie how should I know her when I never saw her till now if it be so said he take the scimita and cut off her head on this condition I will set the at liberty for then I shall be convinced that thou has never seen her till this moment as thou givest with all my heart replied I and took the scimita in my hand do not think, madame that I drew near to the fair princess of the Isle of Ibeni the executioner of the genie's barbarity I did it only to demonstrate by my behaviour as much as possible that as she had strewn her resolution to sacrifice her life for my sake I should not refuse to sacrifice mine for hers the princess notwithstanding her pain and suffering understood my meaning which she signified by an obliging look and made me understand her willingness to die for me and that she was satisfied to see how ready I was also to die for her upon this I stepped back and threw the scimita on the ground I should for ever said I to the genie be hateful to all mankind were I to be so based as to murder not only a person whom I do not know but a lady like this who is already on the point of us expiring do with me what you please since I am in your power I cannot obey your barbarous commands I see said the genie that you both outbrave me and insult my jealousy but both of you shall know by my treatment of you of what I am capable at these words the monster took up the scimita and cut off one of her hands which left her only so much life as to give me a token with the other that she bade me ever adieu for the blood she had lost before and that which gushed out then did not permit her to live above one or two moments after this barbarous cruelty the sight of which threw me into a fit when I was come to myself again I expostulated with the genie why he made me languish in expectation of death strike cried I for I am ready to receive the mortal blow and expect it as the greatest favour you can show me but instead of agreeing to that behold said he how genies treat their wives who they suspect of unfaithfulness she has received thee here and were I certain that she had put any further affront upon me I would put thee to death this minute but I will contend myself with transforming thee into a dog ape, lion or bird take thy choice of any of these I will leave it to thyself these words gave me some hopes of being able to appease him oh genie said I moderate your passion and since you will not take away my life give it me generously I shall always remember your clemency if you pardon me as one of the best men in the world pardoned one of his neighbours that bore him a mortal hatred the genie asked me what had passed between those two neighbours and said he would have patience till he heard the story which I related to him and I believe madam you will not be displeased if I now repeat it end of section 13 recording by Reynard section 14 of the Arabian Nights Entertainment 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 Marta Revalo Guatemala City, Guatemala the Arabian Nights Entertainment volume 1 by Anonymous translated by Dr. Jonathan Scott section 14 the story of the envious man and him that he envied in a considerable town two persons dwelt in adjoining houses one of them conceived such a violent hatred against the other that the hated party resolved to remove to a distance being persuaded that their being neighbours was the only cause of this animosity for though he had done him several pieces of service he found that his hatred was not diminished he therefore sold his house with what goods he had left and retired to the capital city of a kingdom which was not far distant here he bought a little spot off-ground which lay about half a league from the city where he had a convenient house with a garden and a pretty spacious court wherein there was a deep well which was not in use the honest man having made this purchase put on a dervishes habit intending to relieve a retired life and cost several cells to be made in the house where in a short time he established a numerous society of dervishes he soon came to be publicly known by his virtue through which he acquired the esteem of many people as well of the commonality as of the chief of the city in short he was much honoured and courted by all ranks people came from afar to recommend themselves to his prayers and all who visited him published what blessings they received through his means the great reputation of this honest man having spread to the town from where he had come it touched the envious man so much to the quick that he left his house in affairs with a resolution to ruin him with this intent he went to the new convent of the dervishes of which his former neighbour was the head who received him with all imaginable tokens of friendship the envious man told him that he was come on purpose to communicate a business of importance which he could not do but in private and that nobody may hear us let us said he take a walk in your court and seeing night begins to draw on command your dervishes to retire to their cells the chief of the dervishes did as he was required when the envious man saw that he was alone with this good man he began to tell him his errand walking side by side in the court till he saw his opportunity and getting the good man near the brink of the well he gave him a thrust and pushed him into it without being seen by anyone having done thus he returned got out at the gate of the convent without being known and reached his own house well satisfied with his journey being fully persuaded that the object of his hatred was no more but he found himself mistaken this old well was inhabited by fairies and genies which happened luckily for the relief of the head of the convent for they received and supported him and carried him to the bottom so that he got no hurt he perceived that there was something extraordinary in his fall which must otherwise have cost him his life but he neither saw nor felt anything he soon heard a voice however which said do you know what honest man this is to whom we have done this piece of service? another voice answered no to which the first replied then I will tell you this man out of charity the purest ever known left the town he lived in and has established himself in this place in hopes to cure one of his neighbors of the envy he had conceived against him and had acquired such general esteem that the envious man not able to endure it came hither on purpose to ruin him and he would have accomplished his design had it not been for the assistance we have given this honest man whose reputation is so great that the sultan who keeps his residence in the neighboring city has to pay him a visit tomorrow to recommend the princess his daughter to his prayers another voice asked what need had the princess of the dervishes prayers to which the first answered you do not know it seems that she is possessed by genie maimone son of dindim who has fallen in love with her but I well know how this good head of the dervishes may cure her the thing is very easy and I will explain it to you he has a black cat in his convent with a white spot at the end of her tail about the bigness of a small piece of arabian money let him only pull seven hairs out of the white spot burn them and smoke the princess's head with the fume she will not only be immediately cured but be so safely delivered from maimone the son of dindim that he will never dare to approach her again the head of the dervishes remembered every word of the conversation between the fairies and the genies who remained silent the remainder of the night the next morning as soon as daylight appeared and he could discern the nature of his situation the well being broken down in several places he saw a hole by which he crept out with ease the other dervishes who had been seeking for him were rejoiced to see him he gave them a brief account of the wickedness of the man whom he had given so kind a reception the day before and retired into his cell shortly after the black cat which the fairies and genies had mentioned came to fawn upon her master as she was accustomed to do he took her up and pulled seven hairs from the white spot that was upon her tail and laid them aside for his use when the occasion should serve soon after sunrise the sultant who would leave no means untried that he thought of likely to restore the princess to perfect health arrived at the gate of the comet he commanded his guards to halt whilst he with his principal officers went in the dervishes received him with profound respect the sultan called their chief aside and said good sheik you may probably already acquainted with the cost of my business yes sir replied he gravely if I do not mistake it is the disease of the princess which prectures me this unmerited honor that is the real case replied the sultan you will give me your life if your prayers as I hope they may restore my daughter's health sir said the good man if your majesty will be pleased to let her come hither I am in hopes through God's assistance in favor that she will be effectually cured the prince transported with joy sent immediately for his daughter who soon appeared with a numerous train of ladies and eunuchs but veiled so that her face was not seen the chief of the dervishes caused all to be held over her head and he had no sooner thrown the seven hairs upon the burning coals than the genie maymoan the son of dimdim uttered a great cry and without being seen left the princess at liberty upon which she took the veil from her face and rose up to see where she was saying where am I and who has brought me hither at these words the sultan overcome with excess of joy embraced his daughter and kissed her eyes he also kissed the chief of the dervishes hands and said to his officers what reward does he deserve that has thus cured my daughter they all cried he deserves her in marriage that is what I've had in my thoughts said the sultan and I make him my son-in-law from this moment some time after the prime vizier died and the sultan conferred the place on the dervish the sultan himself also died without errors mail upon which the religious orders and the militia consulted together and the good man was declared and acknowledged sultan by general consent the honest dervish having assented the throne of his father-in-law as he was one day in the midst of his courtiers on a march espied the envious man among the crowd that stood as he passed along and calling one of the viziers that attended him in his ear go bring me that man you see there but take care you do not frighten him the vizier obeyed and when the envious man was brought into his presence the sultan said friend I am extremely glad to see you upon which he called an officer go immediately said he and cost to be paid this man out of my treasury one hundred pieces of gold let him have also twenty loads of the richest merchandise in my store houses and sufficient guard to conduit him to his house after he had given discharge to the officer he paid the envious man farewell and proceeded on his march when I had finished the recital of this story to the genie the murderer of the princess of the isle of ebony I made an application of it to himself oh genie said I this bountiful sultan was not satisfied he was overly overlooking the design of the envious man to take away his life but also treated him kindly and sent him back loaded with the favors I have numerated in short I employed all my eloquence to persuade him to imitate so good an example and to grant me pardon but it was impossible to move his compassion all that I can do for thee said he is to grant thee thy life but do not flatter thyself I will allow thee to return safe and well I must let thee feel what I am able to do by my enchantments so saying he seized me violently and carried me through the arched roof of the subterranean palace which opened to give him passage he ascended with me into the air to such a height that the earth appeared like a little white cloud he then descended again like lightning and alighted upon the summit of a mount here he took up a handful of earths and pronouncing or rather muttering some words which I did not understand threw it upon me quit, said he the form of a man and take that of an ape he instantly disappeared and left me alone transformed into an ape and overwhelmed with sorrow in a strange country not knowing whether I was near or far from my father's dominions I descended the mountain and entered a plain-level country which took me a month to travel over and then I came to the seaside it happened at the time to be perfectly calm and I aspired a vessel about half a league from the shore unwilling to lose so good an opportunity I broke off a large branch from a tree carried it into the sea and placed myself astride upon it with a stick in each hand to serve me for oars I launched out in this posture and rode towards the ship when I had approached sufficiently near to be seen I exhibited to the seamen and passengers on the deck an extraordinary spectacle and all of them regarded me with astonishment in the meantime I got on board and laying hold of a rope jumped upon the deck but having lost my speech I found myself in great perplexity and indeed the risk I ran was not less than when I was at the mercy of the genie the merchants being both superstitious and scrupulous thought if they received me on board I should be the occasion of some misfortune to them during their voyage on this account one of them said I will destroy him with a blow of this hand spike another I will shoot an arrow through his body and the third let us throw him into the sea some of them would not have failed to carry his threat into execution had I not gone to the captain thrown myself at his feet and taken hold of his skirt in the supplicating posture this action, together with the tears which he saw gush from my eyes moved his compassion he took me under his protection threatened to be revenged on anyone that would do me the least hurt and loaded me with a thousand caresses on my part though I had no power to speak I shot by my gestures every mark of gratitude in my power the wind that succeeded the calm was not strong but favorable it continued to blow in the same direction for 50 days and brought us safe to the port of a city well peopled and of great trade the capital of a powerful state where we came to anchor our vessel was instantly surrounded with an infinite number of boats full of people who came to congratulate their friends on their safe arrival or to inquire for those they had left behind them in the country from whence they had come or out of curiosity to see a ship that had performed so long a voyage amongst the rest some officers came on board desiring in the name of the Sultan to speak with the merchants the merchants appearing one of the officers told them the Sultan our master had commanded us to acquaint you that he rejoices in your safe arrival and beseeches each of you to take the trouble to write a few lines that you may understand the design of this request you must know that we had a prime vizier who besides possessing great abilities for the management of public affairs could write in the highest perfection this minister a few days since died the event has greatly affected the Sultan and since he can never behold his writing without admiration he has made a solemn vow not to give the place to anyone who cannot write equally well many have presented specimens of their skill but to this day no one in the empire has been judged worthy to supply the vizier's place those of the merchants who thought they could write well enough to aspire to this high dignity wrote one after another what they thought fit after they had done I advanced and took the role out of the gentleman's hand but all the people especially the merchants cried out that I would tear it or throw it into the sea till they saw how properly I held the role and made a sign that I would write in my turn their apprehensions then changed into wonder however as they had never seen an ape that could write and could not be persuaded that I was more ingenious than others of my kind they wished to take the role out of my hand but the captain took my part once more let him alone said he allow him to write if he only scribbles the paper I promise you that I will immediately punish him if on the contrary he writes well as I hope he will because I never saw an ape so clever and ingenious and so quick of apprehension I declare that I will adopt him as my son perceiving that no one opposed my design I took the pen and wrote six sorts of hands used among the Arabians and each specimen contained an extemporary distich or quatrain in praise of the sultan my writing not only excelled that of the merchants they had not before seen in that country when I had done the officers took the role and carried it to the sultan the sultan took little notice of any of the writings except mine which pleased him so much that he said to the officers take the finest horse in my stable with the richest trappings and robe of the most sumptuous brocade to put on the person who wrote the six hands and bring him thither at this command the officers could not bear laughing the sultan was incensed at their rudeness and would have punished them had they not explained sir said they we humbly beg your majesty's pardon these hands were not written by a man but by an ape what do you say? exclaimed the sultan those admirable characters are they not written by the hands of a man no sir replied the officers we assure your majesty that it was an ape the sultan was too much surprised at this account not to desire a side of me and therefore said do what I command you and bring me speedily that wonderful ape the officers returned to the vessel and showed the captain their order who answered the sultan's command must be obeyed whereupon they clothed me with the rich brocade robe and carried me ashore where they set me on horseback whilst the sultan waited for me at his palace the great number of courtiers whom he gathered together to do me the more honor the procession commenced the harbor, the streets the public places, windows, terraces palaces and houses were filled with an infinite number of people of all ranks who flocked from every part of the city to see me for the rumor was spread in a moment that the sultan had chosen an ape to be his grand vizier and after having served for a spectacle to the people for bare to express their surprise by redoubling their shouts and cries I arrived at the sultan's palace I found the prince on his throne in the midst of the grand deeds I made my obeisance three times very low and at last kneeled and kissed the ground before him and afterwards took my seat in the posture of an ape the whole assembly viewed me with admiration and could not comprehend how it was possible that an ape should so well understand how to pay the sultan his due respect and he himself was more astonished than any in short the usual ceremony of the audience would have been complete could I have added speech to my behavior but apes never speak and the advantage I had of having been a man did not now yield me that privilege the sultan dismissed his courtiers and none remained by him but the chief of the eunuchs a little young slave and myself he went from his chamber to the audience into his own apartment where he ordered dinner to be brought as he sat at the table he made me a sign to approach and eat with them to show my obedience I kissed the ground, arose and placed myself at the table and ate with discretion and moderation before the table was cleared I espied a standish which I made a sign to have brought me having got it I wrote upon a large peach some verses expressive of my acknowledgement of the sultan who having read them after I had presented the peach to him was still more astonished when the things were removed they brought him a particular liquor of which he cost them to give me a glass I drank and wrote upon the glass some new verses which explained the state I was reduced to after many sufferings the sultan read these likewise and said a man that was capable of doing so much would be above the greatest of his species the sultan cost to be brought him a chess board and asked me by a sign if I understood that game and would play with him I kissed the ground and laying my hand upon my head signified that I was ready to receive that honour he won the first game but I won the second and third and perceiving he was somewhat displeased at my success I made a good train to satisfy him in which I told him that two potent armies had been fighting furiously all day the sultan concluded a peace towards the evening and passed the remaining part of the night very amicably together upon the field of battle so many circumstances appearing to the sultan beyond whatever had either been seen or known of the cleverness or sense of apes he determined not to be the only witness of these partages himself but having a daughter called the lady of beauty on whom the chief of the eunuchs then present waited to him and bid your lady come hither I am desirous she should share my pleasure the eunuch went and immediately brought the princess who had her face uncovered but she had no sooner come into the room than she put her veil on and said to the sultan sir your majesty must need have forgotten yourself I am surprised that your majesty has sent for me to appear among men how daughter said the sultan you do not know what you say there is no one here but the little slave the eunuch your governor and myself who have the liberty to see your face and yet you lower your veil and blame me for having sent for you sir said the princess your majesty shall soon understand that I am not in the wrong that seeming ape is a young prince son of a powerful sultan and has been metamorphosed into an ape by enchantment a genie son of the daughter of Elvis has maliciously done him this wrong after having cruelly taken away the life of the princess of the Isle of Ebony the sultan astonished that this declaration turned towards me and speaking no more by signs but in plain words asked me if what his daughter had said was true finding I could not speak I put my hand to my head to signify that what the princess spoke was correct upon this the sultan said again to his daughter how do you know that this prince had been transformed by enchantments into an ape sir replied the lady of beauty your majesty may remember that when I was past my infancy I had an old lady who waited on me she was a most expert magician and taught me 70 rules of magic by virtue of which I can in the twinkling of an eye transport your capital into the midst of the sea or beyond Mount Caucasus by this science I know all enchanted persons at first sight I know who they are and by whom they have been enchanted therefore do not be surprised if I should forthwith relieve this prince in spite of the enchantments from that which prevents his appearing in your sight in his natural form daughter said the sultan I did not believe you have understood so much sir replied the princess these things are curious and worth knowing but I think I ought not to boast of them since it is so said the sultan you can dispel the princess enchantment yes sir said the princess I can restore him to his original shape do it then said the sultan you cannot do me a greater pleasure for I will have him to be my vizier and he shall marry you sir said the princess I am ready to obey you in all that you should be pleased to command me the princess the lady of beauty went into her apartment she got dense a knife which had some Hebrew words engraven on the blade she made the sultan the master of the eunuchs the little slave and myself descend into a private court of the palace and there left us under a gallery that went round it she placed herself in the middle of the court where she made a great circle and within it she wrote several words in Arabian characters some of them ancient when she had finished and prepared the circle in the center of it she placed herself in the center of it where she began incantations and repeated verses of the Quran the air grew insensibly dark as if it had been night and the whole world were about to be dissolved we found ourselves struck with a consternation and our fear increased when we saw the genie the son of the daughter of Eblis appear suddenly in the shape of a lion of a gigantic size as soon as the princess perceived this monster dog said she instead of creeping before me dare you present yourself in this shape thinking to frighten me and thou replied the lion art thou not afraid to break the treaty which has solemnly made and confirmed between us by oath not to wrong or do another any injury wretch replied the princess I justly may reproach thee with having done so the lion answered fiercely thou shalt quickly have thy reward for the trouble thou hast given me with that he opened his monstrous jaws and sprang forward to devour her but she, being on her guard stepped back got time to pull out one of her hairs and by pronouncing three or four words changed it into a sharp sword with which she cut the lion in two through the middle the two parts of the lion disappeared while the head changed into a large scorpion immediately the princess turned herself into a serpent and fought the scorpion who, finding himself worsted took the shape of an eagle and flew away but the serpent at the same time took also the shape of an eagle that was black and much stronger and pursued him so that we lost sight of them both sometime after they had disappeared the ground opened before us and out of it came forth a black with their hair standing on end and meowing in a frightful manner a black wolf followed close after her and gave her no time to rest the cat being thus hard pressed changed into a worm and being near a pomegranate accidentally fallen from a tree on the side of a canal which was deep but not broad pierced the pomegranate in an instant and hid itself but the pomegranate swelled immediately and became as big as a gourd which, mounting up to the roof of the gallery rolled there for some time backward and forward and then fell down again on to the court and broke into several pieces the wolf had in the meanwhile transformed itself into a cock and now fell to picking up the seeds of the pomegranate one after another but finding no more he came towards us with his wings spread making a great noise as if he would ask us whether there were any more seed there was one lying on the brink of the canal which the cock perceiving as he went back ran speedily thither but just as he was going to pick it up the seed rolled into the river and turned into a little fish the cock leaped into the river turned into a pike and pursued the small fish they continued both underwater above two hours and we knew not what was become of them but suddenly we heard terrible cries which made us tremble after we saw the genie and the princess all in flames they threw flashes of fire out of their mouths at each other till they came to a close combat then the two fires increased with a thick burning smoke which mounted so high that we had reason to apprehend it would set the place on fire but we very soon had a more pressing occasion of fear for the genie having got loose from the princess came to the gallery where we stood and blew flames of fire upon us we must all have perished had not the princess running to our assistance forced him to retire and defend himself against her yet notwithstanding all her exertions she could not hinder the sultan's beard from being burnt and his face scorched the chief of the eunuchs from being stifled and a spark from entering my right eye and making it blind the sultan and I expected but death when we heard a cry of victory, victory and instantly the princess appeared in her natural shape but the genie was reduced to a heap of ashes the princess approached us and hastily called for a cup full of water which the young slave who had received no hurt brought her she took it and after pronouncing some words over it threw it upon me saying if thou art become an ape by enchantment change thy shape and take that of a man which thou hadst before these words were hardly uttered when I again became a man in every respect as I was before my transformation accepting the loss of my eye I was prepared to return the princess my thanks but she prevented me by addressing herself to her father sir, I have gained the victory over the genie as your majesty may see but it is a victory that costs me dear I have but a few minutes to live and you will not have the satisfaction to make me the match you intended the fire has pierced me during the terrible combat and I find it is gradually consuming me this would not have happened had I perceived the last of the pomegranate seed and swallowed it as I did the others when I was changed into a cock the genie had fled thither as to his last entrenchment and upon that the success of the combat depended which would have been successful and without danger to me this oversight obliged me to have recourse to fire and to fight with those mighty arms as I did between heaven and earth in your presence for in spite of all this redoubtable art and experience I made the genie know that I understood more than he I have conquered and reduced him to ashes but I cannot escape death which is approaching the sultan suffered the princess the lady of beauty to go on with the recital of her combat and when she had done addressed her in a tone that sufficiently testified his grief my daughter said he you see in what condition your father is alas I wonder that I am yet alive your governor the eunuch is dead and the prince whom you have delivered from his enchantment has lost one of his eyes he could say no more for his tears size and sobs deprive them of the power of utterance suddenly the princess exclaimed I burn, I burn she found that the fire had at last seized upon her vital parts which made her still cry I burn until death had put an end to her intolerable pains the effect of that fire was so extraordinary that in a few moments she was wholly reduced to ashes as the genie had been I cannot tell you madam how much I was grieved at so dismal a spectacle I had rather all my life have continued an ape or a dog than to have seen my benefactors thus miserably perish the sultan being afflicted all that can be imagined cried pitchlessly and beat himself on his head and breast until being quite overcome with grief he fainted away which made me fear for his life in the meantime the eunuchs and the officers came running at the sultan's lamentations and with much difficulty brought him to himself it was not necessary that the prince or myself should relate the circumstances of the adventure to convince them of the affliction it had occasioned us the two heaps of ashes to which the princess and the genie had been reduced were a sufficient demonstration the sultan was hardly able to stand but was under the necessity of being supported to his apartment when the knowledge of this tragical event had spread through the palace and the city all the people bewailed the misfortune of the princess the lady of beauty and commiserated the sultan's affliction public mourning was observed for seven days and many ceremonies were performed the ashes of the genie were thrown into the air but those of the princess were collected into a precious urn to be preserved and the urn was deposited in a superb mausoleum constructed for that purpose on the spot where the princess had been consumed the grief of the sultan for the loss of his daughter confined him to his chamber for a whole month after he had fully recovered his strength he sent for me prince said he attend to the commands I now give you your life must answer if you do not carry them to execution I assured him of exalt obedience upon which he went on thus I have constantly lived in perfect felicity but by your arrival all the happiness I possess has vanished my daughter is dead her governor is no more only through a miracle that I am myself yet alive you are the cause of all these misfortunes under which it is impossible that I should be comforted depart hence therefore in peace without further delay for I must myself perish if you remain any longer I am persuaded that your presence brings misfortune with it depart and take care never to appear again in my opinions no consideration whatever shall hinder me from making you repent your temerity should you violate my injunction I was going to speak but he prevented me by words full of anger and I was obliged to quit the palace rejected, banished, an outcast from the world before I left the city I went into a banyu here I cost my beard and eyebrows to be shaved and put on a calendar's habit I began my journey not so much deploying my own miseries as the death of the two fair princesses of which I have been the occasion I passed through many countries without making myself known at last I resolved to come to Baghdad in hopes of getting myself introduced to the commander of the faithful to move his compassion by relating to him my unfortunate adventures I arrived this evening and the first man I met was this calendar our brother who spoke before me you know the remaining part madam and the cost of my having the honor to be here when the second calendar had concluded his story Zubayde to whom he had addressed his speech said it is well you are at liberty but instead of departing he also petitioned the lady to show him the same favor vouchsafed to the first calendar and went and sat down by him end of section 14 section 15 of the Arabian Night's Entertainment 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 Sandra Zera the Arabian Night's Entertainment volume 1 by Anonymous translated by Dr. Jonathan Scott section 15 the history of the third calendar my story, most honorable lady very much differs from what you have already heard the two princes who have spoken before me have each lost an eye by the pure effects of their destiny but mine I lost through my own thought and by hastening to seek my own misfortune as usual here by the sequel of the story my name is Agib and I am the son of a Sultan who was called Qassib after his death I took possession of his dominions and continued in the city where he had resided it is situated on the sea coast his one of the finest and safest harbors in the world and also now capable of fitting out for sea 150 men of war besides merchant men and night vessels my kingdom is composed of several fine provinces upon the mainland besides a number of valuable islands which lie almost inside of my capital my first object was to visit the provinces I afterwards cost my whole fleet to be fitted out and went to my islands to gain the hearts of my subjects by my presence and to confirm them in their loyalty these voyages gave me some taste for navigation in which I took so much pleasure that I resolved to make some discoveries beyond my own territories to which end I cost ten ships to be fitted out embarked and set sail our voyage was very pleasant for 40 days successively but on the 41st night the wind became contrary and with all so boisterous that we were near being lost about the break of day the storm abated the clouds dispersed and the water became far we reached the island where we remained two days to take in fresh provisions and then put off again to sea after ten days sail we were in hopes of seeing land for the tempest we had experienced had so much abated my curiosity that I gave orders to steer back to my own coast but I perceived at the same time that my pilot knew not where we were upon the 10th day a seaman being sent to look out for land from the must head gave notice that on starboard and la board he could see nothing but sky and sea but that right ahead he perceived a great blackness the pilot changed color at this account and throwing his turban on the deck with one hand and beating his breath with the other cried oh sir we are all lost not one of us can escape and with all my skill it is nothing my power to affect our deliverance having spoken thus he lamented like a man who fall so unavoidable ruin his despondence threw the whole ship's crew into consternation I asked him what reason he had those to despair he exclaimed the tempest has brought us so far out of our course that tomorrow upon noon we shall be near the black mountain or mine of adamant which at this very minute draws all your fleet towards it by virtue of the iron in your ships and when we approach within a certain distance the attraction of the adamant will have such force that all the nails will be drawn out of the sides and bottoms of the ships and fastened to the mountain so that your vessels will fall to pieces and sink this mountain, continued the pilot, is inaccessible on the summit there is a dome of fine brass supported by pillars of the same metal and on the top of the dome stands a hearse likewise of brass with a rider on his back who has a plate or lid fixed to his breast upon which some talismanic characters are engraved Sir, the tradition is that this statue is the chief cause why so many ships and men have been lost and sunk in this place and that it will ever continue to be photo to all those who have the misfortune to approach until it shall be thrown down the pilot having finished his discourse began to whip afresh and all the rest of the ship's company did the same I had no other thought but that my days were there to terminate in the meantime everyone began to provide for his own safety and to that end took all imaginable precaution and being uncertain of the event they all made one another their hearse by virtue of our will for the benefit of those that should happen to be saved the next morning we distinctly perceived the black mountain about noon we were so near that we found what the pilot had photos to be true for all the nails and iron in the ships flew towards the mountain were they fixed by the violence of their attraction with a horrible noise the ships split asunder and their cargoes sunk into the sea all my people were drowned but God had mercy on me and permitted me to save myself by means of a plank which the wind drove ashore just at the foot of the mountain I did not receive the least hurt and my good fortune brought me to a landing place where there were steps that led up to the summit of the mountain at the sight of these steps for there was not a space of ground either on the right or the left where on a man could set his foot I gave thanks to God and recommended myself to his holy protection as I began to ascend the steps which were so narrow that had the wind rate it would have thrown me into the sea but at last I reached the top without accident I went into the dome and kneeling on the ground gave God thanks for his mercies I passed the night under the dome in my sleep an old grave man appeared to me and said How can I get as soon as the world awake dig up the ground under the feet though we would find a ball of brass and three arrows of lead that are made under certain constellations to deliver mankind from the many calamities that threatened them shoot the three arrows at the stature and the rider will fall into the sea but the horse will fall by this side though must bury it in the place where though find as the bull and arrows this being done the sea will swell and rise to the foot of the dome when it has come so high though we would perceive a boat with one man holding an oar in each hand this man is also of metal but different from that though has thrown down step on board but without mentioning the name of God and let him contact thee he will in ten days time bring thee into another sea where though should find an opportunity to return to the country provided as I have told thee though does not mention the name of God during the whole voyage this was the substance of the old man's discourse when I walk I felt much comforted by the vision and did not fail to observe everything that he had commanded me I took the bull and arrows out of the ground shot at the horseman and with the third arrow I overthrew him he fell into the sea and the horse fell by my side I buried it in the place once I took the bull and arrows in the meantime the sea swell and rose up by the grease when it came as high as the foot of the dome upon the top of this mountain I saw afar off a boat rowing towards me and I returned God thanks that everything succeeded according to my dream at last the boat made land and I perceived the man was made of metal as I have dreamed I stepped aboard and took great hit not to pronounce the name of God neither spoke I one word I sat down and the man of metal began to row off from the mountain he rowed without seizing till the ninth day when I saw some islands which gave me hopes that I should escape all the danger that I feared the excess of my joy made me forget what I was forbidden blessed be God, said I God be praised I had no sooner spoken these words than the boat sank with the man of metal leaving me upon the surface I swam the remaining part of the day towards the land which appeared nearest a very dark night succeeded and not knowing where I was I swam at random my strength at last began to fail and I disperred of being able to save myself but the wind began to blow hard and a wave vast as a mountain threw me on a flat where it left me and retreated I made haste ashore fearing another wave might wash me back the first thing I did was to strip wring the water out of my clothes and lay them on the dry sand which was still warm from the heat of the day next morning the sun dried my clothes I put them on and went forward to discover what sort of country I was in I had not walked far before I found I was upon a desert though a very pleasant island as it displayed several sorts of trees and wild shrubs bearing fruit but I perceived it was far from the continent which much diminished the joy I felt at having escaped the danger of the seas nevertheless I recommended myself to God and prayed him to dispose of me according to his will immediately after I saw a vessel coming from the mainland before the wind directly toward the island I doubted not but they were coming to anchor there and being uncertain what sort of people they might be whether friends or foals I thought it not safe to be seen I got up into a very thick tree from whence I might safely view them the vessel came into a little creek where ten slaves landed carrying a spade and other instruments for digging up the ground they went towards the middle of the island where I saw them stop and dig for a considerable time after which I thought I perceived them lift up a trapdoor they returned again to the vessel and unloaded several sorts of provisions and furniture which they carried to the place where they had been digging they then descended which made me suppose it led to a subterranous dwelling I saw them once more go to the ship and returned soon after with an old man who led in his hand a handsome lad of about 14 or 15 years of age they all descended when the trapdoor had been opened after they had again come up they let down the trapdoor covered it over with earth and returned to the creek where the ship lay but I saw not the young man in their company this made me believe that he had stayed behind in the subterranous place a circumstance which exceedingly surprised me the old man and the slaves went on board and getting the vessel under way stirred their course towards the mainland when I perceived they had proceeded to such a distance that I could not be seen by them I came down from the tree and went directly to the place where I had seen the ground broken I removed the earth by the grease till I came to a stone that was 2 or 3 feet square I lifted it up and found that it covered the head of a flight of stairs which were also of stone I descended and at the bottom found myself in a large room furnished with a carpet a couch covered with tapestry and cushions of rich stuff upon which the young man sat with a fan in his hand these things together with fruits and flower pots standing about him I saw by the light of two work staples the young man when he perceived me was considerably alarmed but to quiet his apprehensions I said to him as I entered whoever you are, sir, do not fear a sultan and the son of a sultan, as I am is not capable of doing you any injury on the contrary, it is probable that your good destiny may have brought me hither to deliver you out of this town where it seems you have been buried alive for reasons to be unknown but what surprises me for you must know that I have been witness to all that have passed since you coming to this island is that you suffered yourself to be entombed in this place without any resistance the young man felt assured at this words and with a smiling countenance requested me to take a seat by him when I had complied, he said Prince, I am to acquaint you with what will surprise you by its singularity my father is a merchant jeweler who by his industry and professional skill has acquired a considerable property he has many slaves and also agents whom he employs as supercargoes in his own ships to maintain his correspondence at the several courts which he furnishes with precious stones he had been long married without having issue when it was intimated to him in a dream that he should have a son though his life would be bad short at which he was much concerned when he awoke some days after my mother acquainted him that she was with child and what she supposed to be the time of her conception agreed exactly with the day of his dream at the end of nine months she was brought to bed of me which occasioned great joy in the family my father, who had observed the very moment of my birth consulted astrologers about my nativity and what's answered your son shall live happily till the age of fifteen when his life will be exposed to a danger which he will hardly be able to escape but if his good destiny preserve him beyond that time he will live to a great age to be, said they, when the statue of brass that stands upon the summit of the mountain of adamant shall be thrown into the sea by Prince Agib son of King Kasib and as the stars prognosticate your son will be killed fifty days afterwards by that prince my father took all imaginable care of my education until this year which is the fifteenth of my age he had not just given him yesterday that the statue of brass had been thrown into the sea about ten days ago this news armed him much upon the prediction the astrologers he sought by all means possible to falsify my horoscope and to preserve my life he took the precaution to form this subterranean habitation to hide me in till the expiration of the fifty days after the throwing down of the statue and therefore, as it is ten days since this happened he came hastily thither to conceal me and promised at the end of forty days to return and fetch me away for my own part I am sanguine in my hopes and cannot believe that Prince Agib was sick for me in a place underground in the midst of a desert island while the jeweler's son was relating this story I left at the astrologers who had foretold that I should take away his life for I thought myself so far from being likely to verify their prediction that he had scarcely done speaking when I told him with great joy dear sir, trust in the goodness of God and fear nothing, consider it as a debt you had to pay but that you are acquitted of it from this hour I rejoice that after my shipwreck I came so fortunately hither to defend you against all who would attempt your life I will not leave you till the forty days have expired of which the foolish astrologers have made you apprehensive and in the meanwhile I will do you all the service in my power after which with leave of your father and yourself I shall have the benefit of getting to the main land in your vessel and when I am returned into my kingdom I will remember the obligation I owe you and endeavor to demonstrate my gratitude by suitable acknowledgments this discourse encouraged the jeweler's son and inspired him with confidence I took care not to inform him I was the very agape whom he dreaded lest I should alarm his fears and used every precaution not to give him any cause to suspect who I was we passed the time in various conversation till night came on I found the young man of ready-wit and partook with him of his provisions of which he had enough to have lasted beyond the forty days though he had had more guests than myself after supper we conversed for some time and at last retired to bed the next morning when he arose I held the basin of water to him I also provided dinner and at the proper time placed it on the table after we had dined I invented a play for our amusement not only for that day but for those that followed I prepared supper after the same manner as I had done the dinner and having sapped we retired to bed as before we had sufficient time to contrast mutual friendship and esteem for each other I found he loved me and I on my part regarded him with so much affection that I often said to myself those astrologers who predicted to his father that his son should die by my hand were imposters for it is not possible that I could commit so base a crime in short, madam we spent thirty-nine days in the pleasantest manner possible the fourteenth day appeared and in the morning when the young man awoke he said to me with a transport of joy that he could not restrain Prince, this is the fourteenth day and I am not dead thanks to God and your good company my father will not fail to make you very shortly every acknowledgement of his gratitude for your attentions and will furnish you with every necessary accommodation for your return to your kingdom but, continued he, while we are waiting his arrival I beg you will provide me some warm water in that portable bath that I may wash my body and change my dress to receive my father with the more respect I set the water on the fire and when it was hot, poured it into the movable bath the earth went in and I both washed and wrapped him at last he came out and let himself down in his bed that I had prepared after he had slept a while he awoke and said Dear Prince, pray do me the favor to fetch me a melon and some sugar that I may eat some to refresh me out of several melons that remained I took the best and kned it on a plate and as I could not find a knife to cut it with I asked the young man if he knew where there was one there is one, said he, upon the scurnies over my head I accordingly saw it there and made so much haste to reach it that while I had it in my hand my foot being entangled in the carpet I fell most unhappily upon the young man and the knife burst his heart at this spectacle I cried out with agony I bit my head, my face and breast I tore my clothes I threw myself on the ground with unspeakable sorrow and grief alas, I exclaimed there were only some hours wanting to have put him out of that danger from which he sought sanctuary here and when I thought the danger passed then I became his murderer and verified the prediction but, oh Lord, said I lifting up my face and my hands to heaven I entreat the pardon and if I be guilty of his death let me not live any longer after this misfortune I would have embraced death without any reluctance had it presented itself to me but what we wish, whether it be good or evil will not always happen accordingly to our desire nevertheless, considering that all my tears and sorrows would not restore the young man to life and the forty days being expired I might be surprised by his father I quoted the subterranean dwelling let down the great stone upon the entrance and covered it with earth I had scarcely done when casting my eyes upon the sea after the mainland I perceived the vessel coming to fetch away the young man I began then to consider what I had best do I said to myself if I am seen by the old man he will certainly size me and perhaps cost me to be massacred by his slaves when he has discovered that his son is killed all that I can allege to justify myself will not convince him of my innocence it is better than to withdraw while it is in my power to expose myself to his resentment there happened to be near a large tree thick with leaves which I ascended in hopes of concealment and was no sooner fixed in a place where I could not be perceived than I saw the vessel come to the creek where she lay the first time the old man with his slaves landed immediately and advanced towards the subterranean dwelling with a countenance that shoots some hope but when they saw the earth had been newly removed they changed color, particularly the old man they lifted up the stone and went down they called the young man by his name but he not answering, their fears increased they proceeded to seek him and at length found him laying upon the bed with the knife in his heart for I had not power to take it out at this sight they cried out lamentably which increased my sorrow the old man fell down in a soon the slaves to give him air brought him up in their arms and let him at the foot of the tree where I was concealed but notwithstanding all the pains they took to recover him the unfortunate father continued a long while insensible and made them more than once disperse of his life but at last he came to himself the slaves then brought up his son's corpse dressed in his best apparel and when they had made a grave they buried it the old man, supported by two slaves and his face covered with tears threw the first earth upon the body after which the slaves filled up the grave this being done all the furniture was brought up and with the remaining provisions put on board the vessel the old man overcome with sorrow and not being able to stand was let upon a litter and carried to the ship which stood out to sea and in a short time was out of sight after the old man and his slaves were gone I was left alone upon the island I lay that night in the subterranean dwelling which they had shut up and when the day came I walked around the island and stopped in such places as I thought most proper for repose I led this worrisome life for a whole month at the expiration of this time I perceived that the sea had receded that the island had increased in dimensions the mainland too seemed to be drawing nearer in fact the water sank so low that there remained between me and the continent but a small stream which I crossed and the water did not reach above the middle of my leg I walked so long away upon the slime and sand that I was very weary at last I got upon more film ground and when I had proceeded some distance from the sea I saw a good way before me something that resembled a great file which afforded me some comfort for all I said to myself I shall find here some persons it not being possible that this fire should kindle of itself as I drew nearer however I found my error and discovered that what I had taken for a fire was a castle of red copper which the beams of the sun made to appear at a distance like flames I stopped in the neighborhood of the castle and sat down to admire its noble structure and to rest myself before I had taken such a view of this magnificent building as it deserved I saw ten handsome young men coming along as if they had been taking a walk but what surprised me was that they were all blind of the right eye they were accompanied by an old man who was very tall and of a venerable aspect I could not suppress my astonishment at the sight of so many high-blind men in company and everyone deprived of the same eye as I was conjecturing by what adventure these men could come together they approached and seemed glad to see me after the first salutations they inquired what had brought me to there I told them my story would be somewhat tedious but if they would take the trouble to sit down I would satisfy their curiosity they did so and I related to them all that had happened to me since I had led my kingdom which filled them with astonishment after I had concluded my account the young gentleman prayed me to accompany them into the castle I accepted their offer and we passed through a great many halls and chambers, bed chambers and closets very well furnished and came at last into a spacious hall where there were ten small blue surfers set around separate from one another on which they sat by day and slept at night in the middle of the circle stood an 11th sofa not so high as the rest but of the same color upon which the old men before mentioned sat down and the young gentleman occupied the other ten but as each sofa could only contain one man one of the young men said to me comrades sit down upon that carpet in the middle of the room and do not inquire into anything that concerns us nor the reason why we are all blind of the right eye be content with what you see and let not your curiosity extend any farther the old man having sat a short time arose and went out but he returned in a minute or two brought in supper distributed to each man separately his proportion and likewise brought me mime which I ate apart as the rest did and when supper was almost ended he presented to each of us a cup of wine they thought my story so extraordinary that they made me repeat it after supper and it furnished conversation for a good part of the night one of the gentlemen observing that it was late said to the old man you do not bring us that with which we may acquit ourselves of our duty at these words the old man arose and went into a closet and brought out dance upon his head ten basins one after another old cover with blue staff he placed one before every gentleman together with a light they uncovered their basins which contain ashes called dust and lamb black they mixed all together and dropped and bedopped their faces with it in such a manner as to make themselves look very frightful after having those blackened themselves they wept and lamented beating their heads and breasts and crying continually this is the fruit of our idleness and debauchess they continued this strange employment nearly the whole of the night and when they left off the old man brought them water with which they washed their faces and hands they changed all their clothes which were spoiled and put on orders so that they exhibited no appearance of what they had been doing you may judge how uneasy I felt all this time I wished a thousand times to break the silence which had been imposed upon me and ask questions nor was it possible for me to sleep that night the next day, soon after we had arisen we went out to walk and then I said to them gentlemen I declare to you that I must renounce the law which you prescribed to me last night for I cannot observe it you are men of sense you have convinced me that you do not want understanding yet I have seen you do such actions as none but madmen could be capable of whatever misfortune befalls me I cannot forbid asking why you bedopped your faces with black how it has happened that each of you has but one eye some singular circumstance must certainly beat the cause therefore I conjure you to satisfy my curiosity to these pressing instances they answered only that it was no business of mine to make such inquiries and that I should do well to hold my peace we passed that day in conversation upon indifferent subjects and one night was calm and every man has sapped the old men brought in the blue basins and the young gentlemen as before bedopped their faces wept and bit themselves crying this is the fruit of our idleness and debauchess and continued the same action as the following night at last not being able to resist my curiosity I earnestly prayed them to satisfy me or to show me how to return to my own kingdom for it was impossible for me to keep them company and longer and to see every night such an odd exhibition without being permitted to know the reason End of section 15