Arabian Nights Entertainments (1706)/Volume 1/The Story of the Fisherman

For other versions of this work, see The Fisherman and the Genie.

The Story of the Fisherman.

SIR,

THere was a very ancient Fisherman, so poor, that he could scarce earn enough to maintain himself, his Wife, and three Children. He went every Day to fish betimes in a Morning; and impos’d it as a Law upon himself, not to cast his Nets above four times a Day. He went one Morning by Moon-light; and coming to the Sea-bank, undress’d himself, and cast in his Nets. As he drew them towards the Shoar, he found them very heavy, and thought he had a good draught of Fish, at which he rejoic’d within himself; but in a Moment after, perceiving that instead of Fish, there was nothing in his Nets but the Carkass of an Ass he was mightily vex’d; Scheherazade stop’d here, because she aw it was Day.

Sister, says Dinarzade, I must confess, that the beginning of this Story charms me, and I foresee that the result of It will be very agreeable, There is nothing more surprizing, than the Story of this Fisherman, replied the Sultaness you will by convinc’d of it next Night, if the Sultan will be so gracious, as to let me live. Schahriar being curious to hear the Success of such an extraordinary Fishing, would not order Scheherazade to be put to death that Day.

The Ninth Night.

MY dear Sister, cries Dinarzade next Morning at the usual Hour, if you be not asleep, I pray you to go on with the Story of the Fisherman; I am ready to die till I Hear it. I am willing to give you that Satisfaction, says the Sultaness; but at the same time, she demanded leave of the Sultan, and having obtain’d it, began the Story again, as follows:

Sir, when the Fisherman, vex’d to have made such a sorry Draught, had mended his Nets, which the Carcass of Ass had broke in several places, he threw them in a second time; and when he drew them, found a great deal of Resistance, which made him to think he had taken abundance of Fish; but he found nothing, except a Pannier full of Gravel and Slime, which grieved him extreamly. O Fortune! cries he, with a lamentable Tone, don’t be angry at me, nor persecute a Wretch, who prays thee to spare him. I came hither from my House, to seek for my livelihood, and thou pronouncest Death against me. I have no other Trade but this to subsist by; and notwithstanding all the Care I take, I can scarcely provide what is absolutely necessary for my Family. But I am in the Wrong to complain of thee; thou tak’st Pleasure to persecute honest People, and to leave great Men in Obscurity, whilst thou shew’st Favour to the Wicked, and advancest those who have no Virtue to recommend them.

Having finish’d this Complaint, he threw away the Pannnier in a fret, and washing his Nets from the Slime, cast them the third time; bur brought up nothing, except Stones, Shells and Mudd. No body can express his Disorder; he was within an Ace of going quite mad, However, when Day began to appear, he did not forget to say his Prayers, like a good Mussulman, and afterwards added this Petition: Lord, you know, that I cast my Nets only four times a Day; I have already drawn them three times, without the least Reward for my Labour: I am only to cast ’em once more; I pray you to render the Sea favourable to me, as you did to Moses.

The Fisherman having finish’d this Prayer, cast his Nets the fourth time; and when he thought it was time, he drew them as formerly, with great Difficulty; but instead of Fish, found nothing in ’em but a Vessel of yellow Copper, that by its Weight seem’d to be full of something; and he observ’d that it was shut up and seal’d with Lead, having the Impression of a Seal upon it. This rejoiced him: I will sell it, says he to the Founder, and with the Money arising from the Product, buy a Measure of Corn. He examin’d the Vessel on all Sides, and shook it, to see if what was within made any Noise, and heard nothing. This Circumstance, with the Impression of the Seal upon upon the leaden Cover, made him to think there was something precious in it. To try this, he took a Knife and open’d it with very little Labour. He presently turn’d the Mouth downward, but nothing came out, which surprizd him extreamly, He set it before him, and while he look’d upon it attentively, there came out a very thick Smoak, which oblig’d him to retire two or three Paces from it,

This Smoak mounted as high as the Clouds, and extending it self along the Sea, and upon the Shoar, form’d a great Mist, which we may well imagine did mightily astonish the Fisherman, When the Smoak was all out of the Vessel, it reunited it self, and became a solid Body, of which there was form’d a Genie twice as high as the greatest of Giants. At the sight of a Monster of such an unsizeable Bulk, the Fisherman would fain have fled, but was so frighten’d, that he could not go one step.

Solomon, cried the Genie immediately, Solomon, the great Prophet, Pardon, Pardon, I will never more oppose your Will, l will obey all your Commands,—Scheherazade perceiving Day, broke off her Story.

Upon which Dinarzarde said, Dear Sister, no body can keep their promise better than you have done yours. This Story is certainly more surprising than the former. Sister, replies the Sultaness, there are more wonderful Things yet to come, if my Lord, the Sultan, will allow me to tell ’em you. Schahriar had too great a desire to hear out the Story of the Fisherman, to deprive himself of that Pleasure; and therefore put off the Sultaness’s Death another Day.

The Tenth Night.

DInarzade call’d her Sister next Night, when she thought it was time, and pray’d her to continue the Story of the Fisherman; and the Sultan being also impatient to know what Concern the Genie had with Solomon, Scheherazade continued her Story thus.

Sir, the Fisherman, when he heard these Words of the Genie, recover’d his Courage, and says to him, thou proud Spirit, what is that you talk? It’s above eighteen hundred Years since the Prophet Solomon died, and we are now at the end of Time: Tell me your History, and how you came to be shut up in this Vessel?

The Genie turning to the Fisherman, with a fierce Look; says, You must speak to me with more Civility; thou art very bold to call me a proud Spirit. Very well, replies the Fisherman, shall I speak to you with more Civility, and call you the Owl of good-luck? I say, answers the Genie, speak to me more civilly, before I kill thee, Ah! replies the Fisherman, why would you kill me? Did not I just now set you at Liberty, and have you already forgot it? Yes, I remember it, says the Genie, but that shall not hinder me to kill thee: I have only one Favour to grant thee: And what’s that, says the Fisherman? It is, answers the Genie, to give you your Choice, in what manner thou wouldst have me take thy Life, but wherein have offended you, replies the Fisherman? Is this your Reward for the good Service I have done you? I can’t treat you otherwise, says the Genie; and that you may be convinc’d of it, hearken to my Story.

I am one of those rebellious Spirits, that oppos’d themselves to the Will of Heav’n; all the other Genies own’d Solomon, the great Prophet, and submitted to him. Sacar and I were the only Genies that would never be guilty of so mean a Thing: And to avenge himself, that great Monarch sent Asaph, the Son of Barakhia, his chief Minister, to apprehend me. That was accordingly done, Asaph seiz'd my Person, and brought me by Force before his Master’s Throne.

Solomon, the Son of David, commanded me to quit my way of living, to acknowledge his Power, and to submit myself to his Commands: I bravely refus’d to obey, and told him, I would rather expose my self to his Resentments, than swear Fealty, and submit to him, as he required. To punish me, he shut me up in this Copper Vessel; and to make sure of me, that I should not break Prison, he stampt (himself) upon this leaden Cover, his Seal, with the great Name of God engraven upon it. Thus, he gave the Vessel to one of the Genies who submitted to him, with Orders to throw me into the Sea, which was executed, to my great Sorrow.

During the first hundred Years Imprisonment, I swore, that if any one would deliver me before the hundred Years expir’d, I would make him rich, ev’n after his Death: But that Century run out and no body did me that good Office. During the second, I made an Oath, that I would open all the Treasures of the Earth to any one that should set me at Liberty, but with no better Success. In the third, I promis’d to make my Deliverer a potent Monarch, to be always near him in a Spirit, and to grant him every Day three Demands, of what nature soever they might be: But this Century run out as well as the two former, and I continued in Prison. At last, being angry, or rather mad, to find my self a Prisoner so long, I swore, that if afterwards any one should deliver me, I would kill him without Pity, and grant him no other Favour, but to chuse what kind of Death he would die and therefore, since you have deliver’d me to-day, I give you that Choice.

This Discourse afflicted the poor Fisherman extreamly: I am very unfortunate, cries he, to come hither to do such a Piece of good Service, to one that’s so ungrateful. I beg you to consider your Injustice, and revoke such an unreasonable Oath: Pardon me, and Heav’n will pardon you; if you grant my Life, Heav’n will protect you from all Attempts against yours. No, thy Death’s resolv’d on, says the Genie, only chuse how you will die. The Fisherman perceiving the Genie to be resolute, was extreamly griev’d, not so much for himself, as for his three Children; and bewail’d the Misery they must be reduc’d to by his Death. He endeavour’d still to appease the Genie, and says, Alas! be pleas’d to take pity on me, in consideration of the good Service I have done you. I have told thee already, replies the Genie, it’s for that very Reason I must Kill thee. That’s very strange, says the Fisherman, are you resolv’d to reward Good with Evil: The Proverb says, That he who does Good to one who. deserves it not, is always ill rewarded. I must confess, I thought it was false; for in effect, there can be nothing more contrary to Reason, or the Laws of Society. Nevertheless, I find now by cruel Experience, that it is but too true. Don’t let’s lose time, replies the Genie, all thy Reasonings shall not divert me from my Purpose: Make haste and tell me, which way you chuse to die.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention. The Fisherman bethought himself of a Stratagem. Since I must die then, says he to the Genie, I submit to the Will of Heaven; but before I chuse the manner of Death, I conjure you by the great Name which was engraven upon the Seal of the Prophet Solomon, the Son of David, to answer me truly the Question I am going to ask you.

The Genie finding himself oblig’d to a positive Answer, by this Adjuration, trembled; and replies to the Fisherman, ask what thou wilt, but make haste.—Day appearing, Scheherazade held her Peace.

Sister, says Dinarzade, it must be own’d, that the more you speak, the more you surprize and satisfie. I hope the Sultan, our Lord, will not order you to be put to Death, till he hears out the fine Story of the Fisherman: The Sultan is absolute, replies Scheherazade, we must submit to his Will in every thing. But Schahriar, being as willing as Dinarzade, to hear an end of the Story, did again put off the Execution of the Sultaness.

The Eleventh Night.

SChahriar, and the Princess his Spouse, passed this Night in the same manner as they had done the former, and before break of Day, Dinarzarde awak’d them with these Words, she address’d to the Sultaness: I pray you, Sister, to resume the Story of the Fisherman; with all my Heart, said Scheherazade, I am. willing to satisfy you, with the Sultan’s Permission.

The Genie (continued she) having promised to speak the truth, the Fisherman says to him, I would know if you were actually in this Vessel? Dare you swear it, by the Name of the great God? Yes, replied the Genie, I do swear by that great Name, that I was, and it is a certain truth: In good saith, answer’d the Fisherman, I cannot believe you; the Vessel is not capable to hold one of your Feet, and how should it be possible that your whole Body could lie in it? I swear to thee, notwithstanding, replied the Genie, that I was there just as you see me here: Is it possible, that thou dost not believe me, after this great Oath that I have taken? Truly not, said the Fisherman; nor will I believe you, unless you shew it me.

Upon which, the Body of the Genie was dissolv’d, and chang’d it self into Smoak, extending it self as formerly, upon the Sea and Shoar; and then at last being gather’d together, it began to re-enter the Vessel, which it so continued to do successively, by a slow and equal Motion, after a smooth and exact way, till nothing was left out, and immediately a Voice came forth, which said to the Fisherman, Well now, incredulous Fellow, I am all in the Vessel don’t you believe me now?

The Fisherman, instead of answering the Genie took the Cover of Lead, and having speedily shut the Vessel, Genie, cries he, now it’s your turn to beg my Favour, and to chuse which way I shall put you to Death; but not so it’s better that I should throw you into the Sea, whence I took you: And then I will build a House upon the Bank, where I will dwell to give Notice to all Fishermen, who come to throw in their Nets, to beware of such a wicked Genie as thou art, who hast made an Oath to kill him that shall set thee at Liberty.

The Genie, enrag’d at those Expressions, did all he could to get out of the Vessel again, but it was not possible for him to do it; for the Impression of Solomon’s Seal prevented him: So perceiving that the Fisherman had got the Advantage of him, he thought fit to dissemble his Anger. Fisherman, says he, in a pleasant tone, take heed you don’t do what you say; for what I spoke to you before, was only by way of Jest, and you are to take It no otherwise. O Genie! replies the Fisherman, thou who wast but a Moment ago, the greatest of all Genies , and now art the least of ’em, thy crafty Discourse will signifie nothing to thee, but to the Sea thou shalt return: If thou hast stay’d there already so long as thou hast told me, thou may’st very well stay there till the Day of Judgment. I begg’d of thee in God’s Name, not to take away my Life, and thou didst reject my Prayers; I am obliged to treat you in the same manner.

The Genie omitted nothing that could prevail upon the Fisherman: Open the Vessel, says he, give me my Liberty, I pray thee, and I promise to satisfie thee to thy own Content. Thou at a meer Traitor, replies the Fisherman, I should deserve to lose my Life, it I be such a Fool as to trust thee; thou wilt not sail to treat me in the same manner, as a certain Grecian King treated the Physician Douban. Its a Story I have a mind to tell thee, therefore listen to it.

The Story of the Grecian King and the Physician Douban.

THere was in the Country of Zouman, in Persia, a King, whose Subjects were originally Greeks. This King was all over Leprous, and his Physicians in vain endeavour’d his Cure; and when they were at their Wits end what to prescribe to him, a very able Physician, called Douban, arriv’d at his Court.

This Physician had learn’d his Science in Greek, Persian, Turkish, Arabian, Latin, Syriac and Hebrew Books; and besides that, he was an expert Philosopher, he fully understood the good and bad Qualities of all Sorts of Plants and Drugs. As soon as he was inform’d of the King’s Distemper, and understood that his Physicians had giv’n him over, he clad himself the best he could, and found a way to present himself to the King. Sir, says he, I know that all your Majesty’s Physicians have not been able to cure you of the Leprosy, but if you will do me the Honour to accept my Service, I will engage my self to cure you without Drenches, or external Applications.

The King listen’d to what he said, and answer’d, if you be able to perform what you promise, I will enrich you and your Posterity; and besides the Presents I shall make you, you shall be my chief Favourite. Do you assure me then, that you will cure me of my Leprosy, without making me take any Potion, or applying any external Medicine? Yes, Sir, replies the Physician, I promise my self Success, through God’s Assistance, and to-morrow I will make trial of it.

The Physician return’d to his Quarters, and made a Mallet, hollow within, and at the Handle he put in his Drugs: He made also a Ball, in such a manner as suited his Purpose, with which, next Morning, he went to present himself before the King, and falling down at his Feet, kiss’d the very Ground.—Here Scheherazade, perceiving Day, acquainted the Sultan with it, and held her Peace.

I wonder, Sister, says Dinarzade, where you learn so many fine Things. You shall hear a great many others tomorrow, replies Scheherazade, if the Sultan, my Master, will be pleas’d to prolong my Life further. Schahriar, who long’d as much as Dinarzade to hear the Sequel of the Story of Douban the Physician, did not order the Sultaness to be put to Death that Day.

The Twelfth Night.

THE Twelfth Night was far advanc’d, when Dinarzade call’d, and says, Sister, you owe us the Continuation of the agreeable History of the Grecian King and the Physician Douban. I am very willing to pay my Debt, replies Scheherazade, and resum’d the Story as follows.

Sir, the Fisherman speaking always to the Genie, whom he kept shut up in his Vessel, went on thus: The Physician Douban rose up, and after a profound Reverence, says to the King, he judg’d it meet that his Majesty should take Horse, and go to the Place where he us’d to play at Mell. The King did so, and when he arriv’d there, the Physician came to him with the Mell, and says to him, Sir, exercise your self with this Mell, and strike the Ball with it, until you find your Hands and your Body in a Sweat. When the Medicine I have put up in the Handle of the Mell is heated with your Hand, it will penetrate your whole Body; and as soon as you shall sweat, you may leave off the Exercise, for then the Medicine will have its Effect. As soon as you are return’d to your Palace, go into the Bath, and cause your self to be well wash’d and rubb’d; then go to Bed, and when you rise to morrow, you will find your self curd.

The King took the Mell, and struck the Ball, which was return’d by his Officers that play’d with him; he struck it again, and play’d so long, till his Hand and his whole Body were in a Sweat, and then the Medicine shut up in the Handle of the Mell had its Operation, as the Physician said. Upon this the King left off Play, return’d to his Palace, entered the Bath, and observed very exactly what his Physician had prescrib’d him.

He was very well after it, and next Morning when he arose, he perceiv’d with as much Wonder and Joy, that his Leprosy was cur’d, and his Body as clean, as if he had never been attack’d with that Distemper. As soon as he was dress’d, he came into the Hall of publick Audience, where he mounted his Throne, and shew’d himself to his Courtiers, Who longing to know the Success of the new Medicine, came thither betimes, and when they saw the King perfectly cur’d, did all of them express a mighty Joy for it. The Physician Douban entering the Hall, bow’d himself before the Throne, with his Face to the Ground. The King perceiving him, call’d him, made him sit down by his Side, shew’d him to the Assembly, and gave him all the Commendation he deserv’d. His Majesty did not stop here; but as he treated all his Court that Day, he made him to eat at his Table alone with him. At these Words, Scheherazade perceiving Day, broke off her Story. Sister, said Dimarzade, I know not what the Conclusion of this Story will be, but I find the Beginning very surprising. That which is to come, is yet better, answer’d the Sultaness, and I am certain you will not deny it, if the Sultan give me leave to make an end of it tomorrow Night. Schahriar consented, and arose very well satisfied with-what he had heard.

The Thirteenth Night.

DInarzade, willing to keep the Sultan in Ignorance of her Design, cried out as if she had started out of her Sleep: O dear Sister, I have had a troublesome Dream, and nothing will sooner make me forget it, than the Remainder of the Story of the Grecian King and the Doctor Douban. I do conjure you by the Love you always bore me, not to defer it a Moment longer. I shall not be wanting, good Sister, to ease your Mind; and if my Sovereign will permit me, I will go on. Schahriar being charmed with, the agreeable manner of Scheherazade’s telling her Stories, says to her, You will oblige me no less than Dinarzade, therefore continue.

The Grecian King (says the Fisherman to the Genie) was not satisfied with having admitted the Physician Douban to his Table, but towards Night, when he was about dismissing the Company, he caused him to be clad in along rich Robe, like unto those which his Favourites usually wore in his Presence; and besides that, he ordered him two thousand Sequins. The next Day, and the Day following; he was very familiar with him; in short, this Prince thinking that he could never enough acknowledge the Obligations he lay under to that able Physician, bestow’d every Day new Favours upon him. But this King had a Grand Visier, that was avaricious, envious, and naturally capable of all Sorts of Mischief; he could not see, without Envy, the Presents that were given to the Physician, whose other Merits had already began to make him jealous, and therefore he resolv’d to lessen him in the King’s Esteem. To effect this, he went to the King, and told him in private, that he had some Advice to give him, which was of the greatest Concernment. The King having ask’d what it was; Sir, said he, it’s very dangerous for a Monarch to put Confidence in a Man, whose Fidelity he never tried. Tho’ you heap Favours upon the Physician Douban, and shew him all the Familiarity that may be, your Majesty does not know but he may be a Traitor at the same time, and come on purpose to this Court to kill you. From whom have you this, answer’d the King, that you dare to tell it me? Consider to whom you speak, and that you advise a Thing which I shall not easily believe. Sir, replied the Visier, I am very well inform’d of what I have had the Honour to represent to your Majesty, therefore do not let your dangerous Confidence grow to a further Height: If your Majesty be asleep, be pleased to awake; for I do once. more repeat it, that the Physician Douban did not leave the Heart of Greece, his Country, nor come hither to settle himself at your Court, but to execute that horrible Design, which I have now hinted to you.

No, no, Visier, replies the King, I am certain, that this Man, whom you treat as a Villain and a Traitor, is one of the best and most virtuous Men in the World, and there is no Man I love so much. You know by what Medicine, or rather by what Miracle, he cur’d me of my Leprosy; If he had had a Design upon my Life, why did he save me? He needed only have left me to my Disease, I could not have escap’d it. My Life was already half gone, forbear then to fill me with unjust Suspicions: Instead of listening to you, I tell you, that from this Day forward, I will give that great Man a Pension of a thousand Sequins per Month, for his Life; nay, tho’ I did share with him all my Riches and Dominions, I should never pay him enough, for what he has done for me: I perceive it to be his Virtue, which raises your Envy; but don’t you think that I will be unjustly possess’d with Prejudice against him. I remember too well what a Visier said to King Sindbad, his Master, to prevent his putting to Death the Prince, his Son _______ But, Sir, says Scheherazade, Day-light appears, which forbids me to go any further.

I am very well pleas’d that the Grecian King, says Dinarzade, had so much Firmness of Spirit, to reject the false Accusation of his Visier. If you commend the Firmness of that Prince to Day, says Scheherazade, you will as much condemn his Weakness to Morrow, if the Sultan be pleased to allow me time to finish this Story. The Sultan being curious to hear wherein the Grecian King discovered his Weakness, did further delay the Death of the Sultaness.

The Fourteenth Night.

AN Hour before Day, Dinarzade awak’d her Sister; and says to her, you will certainly be as good as your Word, Madam, and tell us out the Story of the Fisherman? To assist your Memory, I will tell you where you left of: It was where the Grecian King maintain’d the Innocence of his Physician Douban, against his Visier. I remember it, says Scheherazade, and am ready to give you Satisfaction.

Sir, continues she, addressing herself to Schahriar, that which the Grecian King said about King Sindbad, rais’d the Visier’s Curiosity, who says to him, Sir, I pray your Majesty to pardon me; if I have the Boldness to demand of you, what the Visier of King Sindbad said to his Master, to divert him from cutting off the Prince his Son. The Grecian King had the Complaisance to satisfy him: That Visier, says he, after having represented to King Sindbad; that he ought to beware, lest on the Accusation of a Mother-in-law, he should commit an Action, which he might afterwards repent of, told him this Story.

The Story of the Husband and the Parrot.

A Certain Man had a fair Wife, whom belov’d so dearly, that he could scarce allow her to be out of his Sight. One Day, being oblig’d to go abroad about urgent Affairs, he came to a Place where all Sorts of Birds were sold, and there bought a Parrot, which not only spoke very well, but could also give an Account of every Thing that was done before it. He brought it in a Cage to his House, pray’d his Wife to put it in the Chamber, and to take care of it, during a Journey he was oblig’d to undertake, and then went out.

At his Return, he took care to ask the Parrot concerning what had pass’d in his Absence, and the Bird told him Things that gave him Occasion to upbraid his Wife. She thought some of her Slaves had betray’d her, but all of ’em swore they had been faithful to her, and they all agreed that it must have been the Parrot, that had told Tales.

Upon this, the Wife bethought her self of a way, how the might remove her Husband’s Jealousie, and at the same time revenge her self of the Parrot, which she effected thus. Her Husband being gone another Journey, she commanded a Slave, in the Night time, to turn a Hand-mill under the Parrot’s Cage; she ordered another to throw Water, in form of Rain, over the Cage; and a third to take a Glass, and turn it to the Right and to the Left before the Parrot, so as the Reflections of the Candle might shine on its Face. The Slaves spent great part of the Night, in doing what their Mistress commanded them, and acquitted themselves very dexterously.

Next Day the Husband return’d, and examin’d the Parrot again, about what had pass’d during his Absence. The Bird answer’d, Good Master, the Lightning, Thunder and Rain, did so much disturb me all Night, that I cannot tell how much I suffered by it. The Husband, who knew that there had been neither Thunder, Lightning, nor Rain that Night, fancied that the Parrot, not having told him the Truth in this, might also have lied to him in the other upon which he took it out of the Cage, and threw it with so much Force to the Ground, that he kill’d it. Yet afterwards he understood by his Neighbours, that the poor Parrot had not lied to him, when it gave him an Account of his Wife’s base Conduct, which made him repent he had kill’d it. Scheherazade stopp’d here, because she saw it was Day.

All that you tell us, Sister, says Dinarzade, is so curious, that nothing can be more agreeable. I shall be willing to divert you, answers Scheherazade, if the Sultan, my Master, will allow me Time to do it. Schahriar, who took as much Pleasure to hear the Sultaness, as Dinarzade, arose and went about his Affairs, without ordering the Visier to cut her off.

The Fifteenth Night.

DInarzade was punctual this Night, as she had been the former, to awake her Sister, and begg’d of her, as usual, to tell her a Story. I am going to do it, Sister, says Scheherazade; but the Sultan interrupted her, for fear she should begin a new Story, and bid her finish the Discourse betwixt the Grecian King and his Visier, about his Physician Douban. Sir, says Scheherazade, I will obey you, and went on with the Story as follows.

When the Grecian King, says the Fisherman to the Genie, had finish’d the Story of the Parrot; and you, Visier, adds he, because of the Hatred you bear to, the Physician Douban, who never did you any Hurt, you would have me cut him off; but I will take care of that, for fear I should repent it, as the Husband did the killing of his Parrot.

The mischievous Visier was too much concern’d to effect the Ruin of the Physician Douban, to stop here. Sir, says he, the Death of the Parrot was but a Trifle, and I believe his Master did not mourn for him long: But why should your Fear of wronging an innocent Man, hinder your putting this Physician to Death? Is it not enough that he is accus’d of a Design against your Life, to authorize you to take away his? When the Business in question is to secure the Life of a King, bare Suspicion ought to pass tor Certainty; and it is better to sacrifice the Innocent, than to spare the Guilty. But, Sir, this is not an uncertain Thing; the Physician Douban has certainly a mind to assassinate you. It is not Envy which makes me his Enemy. it’s only my Zeal, and the Concern I have for preserving your Majesty’s Life, that makes me give you my Advice in a Matter of this Importance. If it be false, I deserve to be punish’d in the same manner as a Visier was formerly punish’d. What had that Visier done, says the Grecian King, to deserve Punishment? I will inform your Majesty of that, says the Visier, if you will be pleas’d to hear me.

The Story of the Visier that was punish’d.

THere was a King, says the Visier, who had a Son that lov’d Hunting mightily. He allow’d him to divert himself that way very often; but gave Order to his Grand Visier to attend him constantly, and never to lose Sight of him.

One Hunting-day, the Huntsman having rouz’d a Deer, the Prince, who thought the Visier follow’d him, pursu’d the Game so far, and with so much Earnestness, that he was left quite alone. He stopp’d, and finding he had lost his way, endeaveur’d to return the same way he came, to find out the Visier, who had not been careful enough to follow him, and so wandred further,

While he rode up and down, without keeping any Road, he met, by the way-side, a handsome Lady, who wept bitterly. He stopt his Horse, ask’d who she was, how she came to be alone in that Place, and what she wanted, I am, says she, Daughter to an Indian King: As was taking the Air on Horse-back, in the Country, I grew sleepy, fell from my Horse, who is got away, and I know not what is become of him. The young Prince taking Compassion on her, ask’d her to get up behind. him, which she willingly accepted.

As they pass’d by the Ruins of a House, the Lady signinified a Desire to alight on some Occasion. The Prince stopp’d, and suffered her to alight; then he alighted himself, and went near the Ruins with his Horse in his Hand: But you may judge how much he was surpriz’d, when he heard the Lady within it, say these Words: Be glad, my Children, I bring you a handsome young Man, and very fat; and other Voices, which answer’d immediately, Mamma, is he, that we may eat him presently, for we are very hungry.

The Prince heard enough to convince him of his Danger, and then he perceiv’d that the Lady, who call’d herself Daughter to an Indian King, was a Hogress, Wife to one of those Savage Demons, call’d Hogres, who stay in remote Places, and make use of a thousand Wiles to surprize and devour Passengers; so that the Prince being thus frighten’d, mounted his Horse as soon as he could.

The pretended Princess appear’d that very Moment, and perceiving she had missed her Prey, she cries, Fear nothing, Prince: Who are you? whom do you seek? I have lost my way, replies he, and am seeking it. If you have lost your way, says she, recommend your self to God, he will deliver you out of your Perplexity. Then the Prince lift up his Eyes towards Heaven.———But, Sir, fays Scheherazade, I am oblig’d to break off, for Day appears.

I long mightily, says Dinarzade, to know what became of that young Prince, I tremble for him, I will deliver you from your Uneasiness to morrow, answers the Sultaness, if the Sultan will allow me to live till then. Schahriar, willing to hear an end of this Adventure, prolonged Scheherazade’s Life for another Day.

The Sixteenth Night.

DInarzade had such a mighty Desire to hear out the Story of the young Prince, that she awak’d that Night sooner than ordinary, and said, Sister, pray go on with the Story you began yesterday: I am much concern’d for the young Prince, and ready to die for fear that he was eat up by the Hogress and her Children. Schahriar having signified that he had the same Fear, the Sultaness replies, Well, Sir, I will satisfy you immediately.

After the counterfeit Indian Princess had bid the young Prince recommend himself to God, he could not believe she spoke sincerely, but thought she was sure of him, and therefore lifting up his Hands to Heav’n, said, Almighty Lord, cast thine Eyes upon me, and deliver me from this Enemy. After this Prayer, the Hogress entered the Ruins again, and the Prince rode off with all possible Haste. He happily found his way again, and arriv’d fate and sound at his Father’s Court, to whom he gave a particular Account of the Danger he had been in, through the Visier’s Neglect; upon which, the King being incens’d against that Minister, order’d him to be strangled that very Moment.

Sir, continues the Grecian King’s Visier: To return to the Physician Douban, if you don’t take care, the Confidence you put in him will be fatal to you; I am very well assured that he is a Spy sent by your Enemies to attempt your Majesty’s Life. He has cur’d you, you will say: But alas! who can assure you of that? He has perhaps cur’d you only in Appearance, and not radically; who knows but the Medicine he has given you, may in time have pernicious Effects.

The Grecian King, who had naturally very little Sense, was not able to discover the wicked Design of his Visier, nor had he Firmness enough to persist in his first Opinion. This Discourse staggered him: Visier, says he, thou art in the right; he may be come on purpose to take away my Life, which he may easily do, by the very Smell of some of his Drugs. We must consider what is fit for us to do in this Case.

When the Visier found the King in such a Temper as he would have him, Sir, says he. the surest and speediest Method you can take to secure your Life, is to send immediately for the Physician Douban, and order his Head to be cut off as soon as he comes. In truth, says the King, I believe that’s the way we must take to prevent his Design. When he had spoke thus, he call’d for one of his Officers, and order’d him to go for the Physician, who knowing nothing of the King’s Design, came to the Palace in great Haste.

Know ye, says the King, when he saw him, why I sent for you? No, Sir, answer’d he, I wait till your Majesty be pleas’d to inform me. I sent for you, reply’d the King, to rid my self of you, by taking your Life.

No Man can express the Surprize of the Physician, when he heard the Sentence of Death pronounc’d against him. Sir, says he, why would your Majesty take my Life? What Crime haye I committed? I am inform’d by good hands, replies the King, that you came to my Court only to attempt my Life; but to prevent you, I will be sure of yours, Give the Blow, says he to the Executioner, who was present, and deliver me from a perfidious Wretch, who came hither on purpose to assassinate me.

When the Physician heard this cruel Order, he readily judg’d that the Honours and Presents he had received from the King, had procur’d him Enemies, and that the weak Prince was impos’d upon. He repented that he had cur’d him of his Leprosy, but it was now too late. Is it thus, replies the Physician, that you reward me for curing you? The King would not hearken to him, but ordered the Hangman a second time to strike the fatal Blow. The Physician, then, had recourse to his Prayers: Alas! Sir, cries he, prolong my Days, and God will prolong yours; don’t put me to death, lest God treat you in the same manner. The Fisherman broke off his Discourse here, to apply it to the Genie, Well, Genie, says he, you see what passed then betwixt the Grecian King and his Physician Douban, is acted just now betwixt us.

The Grecian King, continues he, instead of having regard to the Prayers of the Physician, who begg’d him for God’s sake to spare him, cruelly reply’d to him, No, no; I must of Necessity cut you off, otherwise you may take my Life away with as much Subtleness as you cur’d me. The Physician melting into Tears, and bewailing himself sadly for being so ill rewarded by the King, prepar’d for Death. The Executioner bound up his Eyes, ty’d his Hands, and went to draw his Scimiter.

Then the Conrtiers who were present, being mov’d with Compassion, begg’d the King to pardon him, asssuring his Majesty that he was not guilty of the Crime laid to his Charge, and that they would answer for his Innocence: But the King was inflexible, and answer’d them so, as they dar’d not to say any more of the Matter.

The Physician being on his Knees, his Eyes ty’dup, and ready to receive the fatal Blow, addressed himself once more to the King. Sir, says he, since your Majesty will not revoke the Sentence of Death; I beg, at least, that you would give me leave to return to my House, to give order about my Burial, to bid farewel to my Family, to give Alms, and to bequeath my Books to those who are capable of making good use of them. I have one particularly I would present to your Majesty, it’s a very precious Book, and worthy to be laid up very carefully in your Treasury, Well, replies the King, why is that Book so precious as you talk of? Sir, says the Physician, because it contains an infinite Number of curious Things; of which the chief is, that when you have cut off my Head, if your Majesty will give your self the Trouble to open the Book at the sixth Leaf, and read the third Line of the left Page, my Head will answer all the Questions you ask it. The King being curious to see such a wonderful Thing, deferr’d his Death till next Day, and sent him home under a strong Guard.

The Physician, during that time, pus his Affairs in order; and the Report being spread, that an unheard of Prodigy was to happen after his Death, the Visiers, Emirs, Officers of the Guard, and, in a word, the whole Court, repair’d next Day to the Hall of Audience, that they might be Witnesses of it.

The Physician Douban was soon brought in, and advanc’d to the Foot of the Throne, with a great Book in his Hand; there he call’d for a Bason, upon which he laid the Cover that the Book was wrapp’d in, and presenting the Book to the King: Sir, says he, take that Book, if you please, and as soon as my Head is cut off, order that it be put into the Bason upon the Cover of the Book; as soon as it is put there, the Blood will stop; then open the Book, and my Head will answer your Questions, But, Sir, says he, permit me once more to implore your Majesty’s Clemency; for God’s Sake grant my Request, I protest to you that I am innocent. Your Prayers, answers the King, are in vain; and were it for nothing but to hear your Head speak after your Death, it’s my Will you should die. As he said this, he took the Book out of the Physician’s Hand, and order’d the Executioner to do his Duty.

The Head was so dextrously cut off, that it fell into the Bason, and was no sooner laid upon the Cover of the Book, but the Blood stopped; then, to the great Surprize of the King and all the Spectators, it open d its Eyes, and said, Sir, will your Majesty be pleas’d to open the Book? The King open’d it, and finding that one Leaf was as it were glew’d to another, that he might turn it with the more Ease, he put his Finger to his Mouth, and wet it with Spittle. He did so till he came to the sixth Leaf, and finding no Writing on the Place where he was bid look for it, Physician, says he, to the Head, here’s nothing writ. Turn over some more Leaves, replies the Head. The King continu’d to turn over, putting always his Finger to his Mouth, until the Poison, with which each Leaf was imbru’d, coming to have its Effect; the Prince finding himself, all of a sudden, taken with an extraordinary Fit, his Eye-sight sail’d, and he fell down at the Foot of his Throne in great Convulsions. At these Words, Scheherazade perceiving Day, gave the Sultan Notice of it, and forbore speaking.

Ah, dear Sister, says Dinarzade, how grieved am I that you have not time to finish this Story; I should be inconsolable if you lose your Life to Day. Sister, replies the Sultaness; that must be as the Sultan pleases; but I hope he will be so good as to suspend my Death till to morrow. And accordingly Schahriar, far from ordering her Death that Day, expected next Night with much Impatience; so earnest was he to hear out the Story of the Grecian King, and the Sequel of that of the Fisherman and the Genie.

The Seventeenth Night.

THO’ Dinarzade was very curious to hear the rest of the Story of the Grecian King, she did not awake that Night so soon as usual, so that it was almost Day before she call’d upon the Sultaness, and then said, I pray you, Sister, to continue the wonderful Story of the Grecian King; but make haste, I beseech you, for it will speedily be Day.

Scheherazade resum’d the Story where she left off the Day before: Sir, says she to the Sultan, when the Physician Douban, or rather his Head, saw that the Poison had taken Effect, and that the King had but a few Moments to live: Tyrant, it cried, now you see how Princes are treated, who abusing their Authority, cut off innocent Men, God punishes soon or late their Injustice and Cruelty. Scarce had the Head spoke these Words, till the King fell down dead, and the Head it self lost what Life it had.

Sir, continues Scheherazade, such was the end of the Grecian King and the Physician Douban; I must return now to the Story of the Fisherman and the Genie, but it’s not worth while to begin it now, for it is Day. The Sultan, who always observ’d his Hours regularly, could stay no longer, but got up; and having a mind to hear the Sequel of the Story of the Genie and the Fisherman, he bid the Sultaness prepare to tell it him next Night.

The Eighteenth Night.

DInarzade made amends this Night for last Night’s Neglect she awak’d a long time before Day, and calling upon Scheherazade, Sister, says she, if you be not asleep, pray give us the rest of the Story of the Fisherman and the Genie; you know the Sultan desires to hear it as well as I.

I shall soon satisfy his Curiosity and yours, answers the Sultaness; and then addressing her self to Schahriar, Sir, continu’d The, as soon as the Fisherman had concluded the History of the Greek King and his Physician Douban, he made the Application to the Genie, whom he still kept shut up in the Vessel, If the Grecian King, says he, would have suffer’d the Physician to live, God would also have suffered him to live; but he rejected his most humble Prayers, and it’s the same with thee, O Genie! Could I have prevail’d with thee, to grant me the Favour I demanded, I should now have had pity upon thee; but since, notwithstanding the extream Obligation thou wast under to me, for having set thee at Liberty, thou didst persist in thy Design to kill me, I am oblig’d, in my turn, to be as hard-hearted to thee.

My good Friend, Fisherman, replies the Genie, I conjure thee once more, not to be guilty of so cruel a Thing; consider, that it is not good to avenge one’s self, and that on the other hand, it’s commendable to Good for Evil; don’t treat me as Imama treated Ateca formerly. And what did Imama to Ateca, replies the Fisherman? Ho! says the Genie, if you have a mind to know it, open the Vessel; do you think that I can be in a Humour to tell Stories, in so strait a Prison. I will tell you as many as you please, when you let me out. No, says the Fisherman, I will not let thee out, it’s in vain to talk of it, I am just going to throw you into the Bottom of the Sea. Hear me one Word more, cries the Genie, I promise to do thee no hurt; nay, far from that, I will shew thee a way how thou mayst become exceeding rich.

The Hope of delivering himself from Poverty, prevail’d with the Fisherman. I could listen to thee, says he, were there any Credit to be given to thy Word; swear to me by the great Name of God, that you will faithfully perform what you promise, and I will open the Vessel; I don’t believe you will dare to break such an Oath.

The Genie swore to him, and the Fisherman immediately took off the Covering of the Vessel: At that very Instant the Smoak came out, and the Genie having resum’d his Form, as before, the first thing he did, was to kick the Vessel into the Sea. This Action frightened the Fisherman: Genie, says he, what’s the Meaning of that? won’t you keep the Oath yon just now made; and must I say to you, as the Physician Douban said to the Grecian King, Suffer me to live, and God will prolong your Days.

The Genie laugh’d at the Fisherman’s Fear, and answered, No, Fisherman, be not afraid, I only did it to divert my self, and to see if thou wouldst be alarm’d at it; but to perswade thee that I am inearnest, take thy Nets and follow me. As he spoke those Words, he walk’d before the Fisherman, who having taken up his Nets, follow’d him, but with some Distrust; they pass’d by the Town, and came to the Top of a Mountain, from whence they descended into a vast Plain, which brought them to a great Pond, that lay betwixt four Hills.

When they came to the side of the Pond, the Genie says to the Fisherman, Cast in thy Nets and take Fish; the Fisherman did not doubt to catch some, because he saw a great Number in the Pond; but was extreamly surpriz’d, when he found they were of four Colours, that is to say, white, red, blue and yellow. He threw in his Nets, and brought out one of each Colour; having never seen the like, he could not but admire them, and judging that he might get a considerable Sum for them, he was very joyful. Carry those Fish, says the Genie to him, and present them to thy Sultan; he will give you more Money for them than ever you had in your Life. You may come every Day to fish in this Pond, but I give thee warning not to throw in thy Nets above once a Day; otherwise you will repent it. Take heed and remember my Advice; if you follow it exactly, you will find your Account in it. Having spoke thus, he struck his Foot upon the Ground, which open’d, and shut again after it had swallow’d up the Genie.

The Fisherman being resolv’d to follow the Genie’s Advice exactly, forbore casting in his Nets a second time; but return’d to the Town very well satisfied with his Fish, and making a thousand Reflections upon his Adventure. He went straight to the Sultan’s Palace, to present him his Fish.———But, Sir, says Scheherazade, I perceive Day, and must stop here.

Dear Sister, says Dinarzade, how surprising are the last Events you have told us; I have much ado to believe, that any thing you have to say can be more surprising. Sister, replies the Sultaness, if the Sultan, my Master, will let me live till to-morrow, I am perswaded you will find the sequel of the History of the Fisherman more wonderful than the beginning of it, and incomparably more diverting. Schahriar curious to know if the remainder of the Story of the Fisherman, would be such as the Sultaness said, he put off the Execution of his cruel Law, for one Day more.

The Nineteenth Night.

TOwards Morning, Dinarzade call’d the Sultaness, and said, dear Sister, my Pendulum tells me it will be Day speedily, therefore pray continue the History of the Fisherman; I am extream impatient to know what the Issue of it was. Scheherazade having demanded leave of Schahriar, resum’d her Discourse as follows: Sir, I leave it to your Majesty to think how much the Sultan was surpriz’d, when he saw the four Fishes which the Fisherman presented him. He took ’em up one after another, and beheld them with Attention; and after having admir’d ’em along time, take those Fishes, says he to his prime Visier, and carry them to the fine Cook-maid, that the Emperor of the Greeks has sent me, I cannot imagine but they must be as good as they are fine.

The Visier carried them himself to the Cook, and delivering them into her Hands, Look ye, says he, there are four Fishes newly brought to the Sultan, he orders you to dress them; and having said so, he returned to the Sultan, his Master, who ordered him to give the Fisherman Four hundred Pieces of Gold of the Coin of that Country, which he did accordingly.

The Fisherman, who had never seen so much Cash in his Life-time, could scarce believe his own good Fortune, but thought it must needs be a Dream, until he found it to be real, when he provided Necessaries for his Family with it.

But, Sir, says Scheherazade, having told you what happened to the Fisherman, I must acquaint you next, with what befel the Sultan’s Cook-maid, whom we shall find in a mighty Perplexity. As soon as she had gutted the Fishes, she put them upon the Fire in a Frying-pan, with Oil, and when she thought them fry’d enough on one side, she turned them upon the other; but, O monstrous Prodigy! Scarce were they turned, when the Wall of the Kitchen opened, and in comes a young Lady of wonderful Beauty, and comely Size. She was clad in flower’d Sattin, after the Egyptian manner, with Pendants in her Ears, a Necklace of large Pearl, and Bracelets of Gold, garnished with Rubies, with a Rod of Myrtle in her Hand, She came towards the Frying-pan, to the great Amazement of the Cook-maid, who continued unmoveable at this sight, and striking one of the Fishes with the end of the Rod, says, Fish, Fish, art thou in thy Duty? The Fish having answered nothing, she repeated these Words, and then the four Fishes lift up their Heads altogether, and said to her, Yes, yes; if you reckon, we reckon ; if you pay your Debt, we pay ours; if you fly, we overcome, and are content. As soon as they had finished those Words, the Lady overturn’d the Frying-pan, and enter’d again into the open part of the Wall, which shut immediately, and became as it was before.

The Cook-maid was mightily frightned at this, and coming a little to her self, went to take up the Fishes that fell upon the Hearth, but found them blacker than Coal, and not fit to be carried to the Sultan, She was grievously troubled at it, and fell a weeping most bitterly: Alas! says she, what will become of me? If I tell the Sultan what I have seen, I am sure he will not believe me, but will be mightily enraged against me.

Whilst she was thus bewailing her self, in comes the Grand Visier, and ask’d her if the Fishes were ready; she told him all that had happened, which we may easily imagine astonished him mightily, but without speaking a word of it to the Sultan, he invented an Excuse that satisfied him, and sending immediately for the Fisherman, bid him bring him four more such Fish, for a Misfortune had befallen the other, that they were not fit to be carried to the Sultan. The Fisherman, without saying any thing of what the Genie had told him, in order to excuse himself from bringing them that very Day, told the Visier, he had a great way to go for ’em, but would certainly bring them to-morrow Morning.

Accordingly the Fisherman went away by Night, and coming to the Pond, threw in his Nets betimes next Morning, took four such Fishes as the former, and brought them to the Visier at the Hour appointed, This Minister took ’em himself, carried them to the Kitchen, and shutting himself up all alone with the Cook-maid, she gutted them, and put ’em on the Fire, as she had done the four others the Day before; when they were fryed on the one side, and that she turn’d them upon the other, the Kitchen-Wall open’d, and the same Lady came in, with the Rod in her Hand, struck one of the Fishes, spoke to it as before, and all Four gave her the same Answer. But, Sir, says Sceherazade, Day appears, which obliges me to break off. What I have told you, is indeed very singular, but if I be alive to-morrow, I will tell you other Things, which are yet better worth your hearing. Schahriar, conceiving that the Sequel must be very curious, resoly’d to hear her next Night.

The Twentieth Night.

Next Morning the Sultan prevented Dinarzade, and says to Scheherazade, Madam, I pray you to make an end of the Story of the Fisherman, I am impatient to hear it. Upon which the Sultaness continued it thus.

Sir, after the four Fishes had answer’d the young Lady, she overturn’d the Frying-pan with her Rod, and retir’d into the same Place of the Wall from whence she came out. The Grand Visier being Witness to what passed; this is too surprising and extraordinary, says he, to be conceal’d from the Sultan, I will inform him of this Prodigy, which he did accordingly, and gave him a faithful Account of all that happen’d.

The Sultan being much surpriz’d, was mighty impatient to fee this himself. To this end, he sent immediately for the Fisherman, and says to him, Friend, can’t you bring me four more such Fishes? the Fisherman reply’d, if your Majesty will be pleas’d to allow me three Days time, I’ll do it. Having obtain’d his Time, he went to the Pond immediately, and at the first throwing in of his Net, he took four such Fishes, and brought them presently to the Sultan, who was so much the more rejoiced at it, that he did not expect them so soon, and order’d him other four hundred Pieces of Gold. As soon as the Sultan had the Fish, he order’d them to be carry’d into his Closet, with all that was necessary for frying them; and having shut himself up there with his Visier, that Minister gutted them, put 'em in the Pan upon the Fire, and when they were fry’d on one Side, turn’d them upon the other; then the Wall of the Closet open’d, but instead of the young Lady, there came out a Black, in Habit of a Slave, and a gigantick Stature, with a great green Batton in his Hand. He advanc’d towards the Pan, and touching one of the Fishes with his Batton, says to it, with a terrible Voice, Fish, art thou in thy Duty? At these Words, the Fishes rais’d up their Heads, and answer’d, Yes, yes, we are; if you reckon, we reckon; if you pay your Debts, we pay ours; if you we overcome, and are content.

The Fishes had no sooner finish’d those Words, but the Black threw the Pan into the middle of the Closet, and reduc’d the Fishes to a Coal. Having done this, he retir’d fiercely, and entering again into the Hole of the Wall, it shut, and appear’d just as it was before.

After what I have seen, says the Sultan to the Visier, it will not be possible for me to be easy in my Mind. These Fish, without doubt, signify something extraordinary, in which I have a mind to be satisfied. He sent for the Fisherman, and when he came, says to him, Fisherman, the Fishes you have brought us, make me very uneasy; where did you catch them? Sir, answers he, I fish’d for them in a Pond situated betwixt four Hills, beyond the Mountain that we see from hence. Know you that Pond, says the Sultan to the Visier? No, Sir, replies the Visier, I never so much as heard of it; and yet, it’s now sixty Years since I hunted beyond that Mountain, and thereabouts. The Sultan ask’d the Fisherman, how far the Pond might be from the Palace; the Fisherman answer’d, it was not above three Hours Journey: Upon this Assurance, and there being Day enough before hand, the Sultan commanded all his Court to take Horse, and the Fisherman serv’d ’em for a Guide. They all ascended the Mountain, and at the Foot of it, they saw, to their great Surprize, a vast Plain, that no body had observ’d till then, and at last they came to the Pond, which they found actually to be situated betwixt four Hills, as the Fisherman had said. The Water of it was so transparent, that they observ’d all the Fishes, to belike those which the Fisherman had brought to the Palace.

The Sultan staid upon the Bank of the Pond, and after beholding the Fishes with Admiration, he demanded of his Emirs, and all his Courtiers, if it was possible they had never seen this Pond, which was within so little a way of the Town. They all answered, that they had never so much as heard of it.

Since you all agree, says he, that you never heard of it, and that I am no less astonished than you are, at this Novelty, lam resolved not to return to my Palace, till I know how this Pond comes hither, and why all the Fish in it are of four Colours. Having spoke thus, he order’d his Court to encamp, and immediately his Pavilion, and the Tents of his Houshold, were planted upon the Banks of the Pond.

When Night came, the Sultan retir’d under his Pavilion, and spoke to the Grand Visier by himself, thus: Visier, my Mind is very uneasy; this Pond transported hither; the Black that appear’d to us in my Closet, and the Fishes that we heard speak; all this does so much whet my Curiosity, that I cannot resist the impatient Desire that I have to be satisfied in it. To this end, I am resolv’d to withdraw alone from the Camp and I order you to keep my Absence secret; stay in my Pavilion, and to-morrow Morning when the Emirs and Courtiers come to attend my Levee, send ’em away, and tell ’em that I am somewhat indispos’d, and have a Mind to be alone, and the following Day tell them the same thing, till I return.

The Grand Visier said several things to divert the Sultan from this Design; he represented to him the Danger to which he might be expos’d, and that all his Labour might perhaps be in vain. But ’twas to no purpose, the Sultan was resolv’d on it, and would go, He put on a Suit fit for walking, and took his Scimiter, and as soon as he saw that all was quiet in the Camp, he goes out alone, and went over one of the Hills without much Difficulty; he found the Descent still more easy, and when he came to the Plain, walk’d on till the Sun rose, and then he saw before him, at a considerable Distance, a great Building. He rejoic’d at the Sight, in hopes to be inform’d there, of what he had a mind to know. When he came near, he found it was a magnificent Palace, or rather a very strong Castle, of fine black polished Marble, and cover'd with fine Steel, as smooth as a Looking-glass. Being mightily pleas’d that he had so speedily met with something worthy his Curiosity, he stopp’d before the Front of the Castle, and consider’d it with abundance of Attention.

He afterwards came up to the Gate, which had two Leaves, one of them open; tho’ he might have enter’d when he would, yet he thought, it best to knock. He knock’d at first softly, and waited for some time; but seeing no body, and supposing they had not heard him, he knock’d harder the second time, but neither seeing nor hearing any body, he knock’d again and again, but no body appearing, it surpriz’d him extreamly; for he could not think, that a Castle so well in repair, was without Inhabitants. If there be no body in it, says he to himself, I have nothing to fear, and if there be, I have wherewith to defend my self.

At last he enter’d, and when he came within the Porch he cried, is there no body here to receive a Stranger, who comes in for some Refreshment as he passes by? He repeated the same two or three times; but tho’ he spoke very high, no body answer’d. This Silence increas’d his Astonishment; he came into a very spacious Court, and looking on every side, to see if he could perceive any body, he saw no living thing —— But, Sir, says Scheherazade, Day appears, and I must stop.

Ah! Sifter, says Dinarzade, you break off at the very best of the Story. It’s true, answers the Sultaness, but Sister, you see am forc’d to do so. If my Lord the Sultan pleases, you may hear the rest to-morrow. Schahriar agreed to this, not so much to pleasure Dinarzade, as to satisfy his own Curiosity, being mighty impatient to know what Adventure the Prince met with in the Castle.

The Twenty First Night.

DInarzade, to make amends for her Neglect the Night before, never laid Eye together, and when she thought it was time, awak’d the Sultaness, saying to her, my dear Sister, pray give us an Account of what happen’d in the fine Castle where you left us yesterday.

Scheherazade forth with resum’d her Story, and addressing her self to Schahriar, says Sir, the Sultan perceiving no body in the Court, enter’d the great Halls, which were hung with Silk Tapestry, the Alcoves and Sosa s were cover’d with Stuffs of Mecca, and the Porches with the richest Stuffs of the Indies, mixt with Gold and Silver. He came afterwards into an admirable Saloon, in the middle of which there was a great Fountain, with a Lion of massy Gold at each Corner: Water issued at the Mouths of the four Lions, and this Water, as it fell, form’d Diamonds and Pearls, that very well answered a Jett of Water, which springing from the middle of the Fountain, rose as high almost as the bottom of a Cupulo, painted after the Arabian manner.

The Castle, on three Sides, was encompassed by a Garden, with Flower-pots, Water works, Groves, and a thousand other fine Things concurr’d to embellish it; and what compleated the Beauty of the Place, was an infinite number of Birds, which fill’d the Air with their harmonious Notes, and always stay’d there, Nets being spread over the Trees, and fasten’d to the Palace, to keep them in. The Sultan walk’d along time from Apartment to Apartment, where he found every thing very great and magnificent. Being tir’d with walking, he sat down in an open Closer, which had a view over the Garden, and there reflecting upon what he had already seen, and did then see, all of a sudden he heard the Voice of one complaining, accompanied with lamentable Cries. He listen’d with Attention, and heard distinctly these sad ; O Fortune! thou who wouldst not suffer me longer to enjoy a Lot, and had made me the most unfortunate Man in the World, forbear to persecute me, and by a speedy Death, put an end to my Sorrows. Alas! is it possible that I am still alive after so many Torments as I have suffered?

The Sultan being affected with those pitiful Complaints, rose up, and made towards the Place where he heard the Voice; and when he came to the Gate of a great Hall, he opened it, and saw a handsome young Man, richly habited, sat upon a Throne rais’d a little above the Ground. Melancholy was painted on his Looks. The Sultan drew near and saluted him; the young Man returned him his Salute, by a low bow with his Head; but not being able to rise up, he says to the Sultan; My Lord, I am very well satisfied that you deserve I should rise up to receive you, and do you all possible Honour; but I am hinder’d from doing so, by a very sad Reason, and therefore hope you will not take it ill. My Lord, replies the Sultan, I am very much oblig’d to you for having so good an Opinion of me: As to the Reason of your not rising, whatever your Apology be, I heartily accept it. Being drawn hither by your Complaints, and afflicted by your Grief, I come to offer you my help. Would to God that it lay in my power to ease you of your Troubles; I would do my utmost to effect it. I flatter my self that you would willingly tell me the History of your Misfortunes; but pray tell me first, the meaning of the Pond near this Place, where the Fishes are of four Colours? What this Castle is? How you come to be here? And why you are alone?

Instead of answering these Questions, the young Man began to weep bitterly. O how inconstant is Fortune! cried he, she takes pleasure to pull down those Men she had raised up. Where are they who enjoy quietly the Happiness which they hold of her, and whose Day is always clear and serene?

The Sultan mov’d with Compassion to see him in that Condition, pray’d him forthwith to tell him the Cause of his excessive Grief. Alas! my Lord, replies the young Man, how is it possible but I should grieve, and why should not my Eyes be inexhaustible Fountains of Tears? At these words lifting up his Gown, he shew’d the Sultan that he was a Man only from the Head to the Girdle, and that the other half of his Body was black Marble——Here Scheherazade broke off, and told the Sultan that Day appeared.

Schahriar was so much charm’d with the Story, and became so much in Love with Scheherazade, that he resolv’d to let her live a Month. He got up however as usual, without acquainting her with his Resolution.

The Twenty Second Night.

DInarzade was so impatient to hear out the Story, that she call'd her Sister next Morning sooner than usual, and says to her, Sister, pray continue the wonderful Story you began, but could not make an end of yesterday Morning. I agree to it, replies the Sultaness, hearken then.

You may easily imagine, continues she, that the Sultan was strangely surpriz’d, when he saw the deplorable Condition of the young Man. That which you shew me, says he; as it fills me with Horror, whets my Curiosity, so that I am impatient to hear your History, which, no doubt, is very strange, and I am persuaded that the Pond and the Fishes make some part of it; therefore I conjure you to tell it me. You will find some Comfort in it, since, it is certain, that unfortunate People find some sort of case in telling their Misfortunes. I will not refuse you this Satisfaction, replies the young Man, tho’ I can’t do it without renewing my Grief. But I give you notice before-hand, to prepare your Ears, your Mind, and even your Eyes, for Things which surpass all that the most extraordinary Imagination can conceive.

The History of the young King of the Black Isles.

YOU must know, my Lord, continu’d he, that my Father, who was call’d Mahmoud, was King of this Country. This is the Kingdom of the Black-Isles, which takes its Name from the four little neighbouring Mountains, for those Mountains were formerly Isles. The Capitol where the King my Father had his Residence, was where that Pond you now see is, The Sequel of my History will inform you of all those Changes.

The King my Father died when he was Seventy Years of Age; I had no sooner succeeded him, but I marry’d, and the Lady I chose to share the Royal Dignity with me, was my Cousin, I had all the Reason imaginable to be satisfied in her Love to me, and for my part, I had so much Tenderness for her, that nothing was comparable to the good Understanding betwixt us, which Lasted five Years, at the end of which time, I perceived the Queen, my Cousin, had no more delight in me.

One Day, while she was at Bath, I found my self sleepy after Dinner, and lay down upon a Sosa; two of her Ladies who were then in my Chamber, came and sat down, one at my Head, and the other at my Feet, with Fans in their Hands to moderate the Heat, and to hinder the Flies from troubling me in my Sleep. They thought I was fast, and spoke very low, but I only shut my Eyes, and heard every word they said.

One of them says to the other, Is not the Queen much in the wrong, not to love such an amiable Prince as this? Ay certainly, replies the other, for my part, I don’t understand it, and I know not why she goes out every Night, and leaves him alone! Is it possible that he does not perceive it? Alas, says the first, how would you have him to perceive it? She mixes every Evening in his Drink the Juice of a certain Herb, which makes him sleep so sound all Night, that she has time to go where she pleases, and as Day begins to appear, she comes and lies down by him again, and wakes him by the Smell of something she puts under his Nose.

You may guess, my Lord, how much I was surpriz’d at this Discourse, and with what Sentiments it inspir’d me; yet, whatever Emotions it made within me, I had Command enough over my self to dissemble it; feign’d my self to wake without having heard one word of it.

The Queen return’d from the Bath, we supp’d together, and before we went to Bed, she presented me with a Cup full of such Water as I was accustomed to drink, but instead of putting it to my Mouth, I went to a Window that stood open, an threw out the Water so privately, that she did not perceive it, and put the Cup again into her Hands, to perswade her that I had drunk it.

We went to Bed together, and soon after, believing that I was asleep, tho’ I was not, she got up with so little Precaution, that she said, so loud as I could hear it distinctly, Sleep, and may you never wake again: She dress’d her self speedily, and went out of the Chamber.——As Scheherazade spoke those Words, she saw Day appear, and stopp’d.

Dinarzade had heard her Sister with a great deal of Pleasure, and Schahriar thought the History of the King of the Black-Isles so worthy of his Curiosity, that he rose up full of Impatience, for the return of the Night, that he might hear the rest of it.

The Twenty Third Night.

AN Hour before Day, Dinarzade being awake, fail’d not to call upon the Sultaness, and said, Pray, dear Sister, go on with the History of the young King of the four Black-Islands. Scheherazade calling to mind where she had left off, resum’d the Story thus.

Assoon as the Queen my Wife went out, continues the King of the Black-Islands, I got up; dress’d me in haste took my Scimiter, and follow’d her so quick, that I soon heard the sound of her Feet before me, and then walk’d softly after her, for fear of being heard. She pass’d thro’ several Gates, which open’d upon her, pronouncing some Magical Words, and the last she open’d was that of the Garden which she enter’d; I stopp’d at that Gate, that she might not perceive me, as she cross’d a Plott, and looking after her as far as I could in the Night, I perceiv’d that she enter’d a little Wood, whose Walks were guarded by thick Pallisadoes, I went thither by another way, and slipping behind the Pallisadoes of along Walk, I saw her walking there with a Man.

I gave very good heed to their Discourse, and heard her say thus; I don’t deserve, says the Queen: to her Gallant, to be upbraided by you for want of Diligence, you know very well what hinders me; but is all the marks of Love that I have already given you, be not enough, I am ready to give you greater Marks of it: You need but command me you know my Power, I will if you desire it, before Sun-rising change this great City, and this fine Palace into frightful Ruins, which shall be inhabited by nothing but Wolves, Owls, and Ravens; would you have me to transport all the Stones of those Walls so solidly built, beyond Mount Caucasus, and out of the bounds of the habitable World; speak but the Word, and all those Places shall be chang’d.

As the Queen finish’d these Words, her Gallant and she came to the end of the Walk, turn’d to enter another, and passed before me. I had already drawn my Scimiter, and Gallant being next me, I struck him in the Neck, and made him fall to the Ground; I thought I had kill’d him, and therefore retir’d speedily without making my self Known to the Queen, whom I had a mind to spare, because she was my Kinswoman.

In the mean time, the Blow I had giv’n her Gallant was mortal; but she preserv’d his Life, by the Force of her Enchantments, in such a manner, however, that he could not be said to be either dead or alive, As I crossed the Garden, to return to the Palace, I heard the Queen cry out lamentably, and judging by that how much she was griev’d, I was pleas’d that I had spar’d her Life.

When I return’d to my Apartment, I went to Bed, and being satisfied with having punish’d the Villain that did me the Injury, I went to sleep; and I wak’d next Morning, found the Queen lying by me.———Sheherazade was oblig’d to stop here, because she saw Day.

O Heaven! Sister, says Dinarzade, how it troubles me that you can say no more, Sister, replies the Sultaness, you ought to have awak’d me more early, it is your Fault. I will make amends next Night, replies Dinarzade, for I doubt not but the Sultan is as willing to hear out the Story as I am, and I hope he will he so good, as to let you live one Day more.

The Twenty Fourth Night.

DInarzade was good as her word, she call’d the Sultaness very early, saying, Dear Sister, if you be not asleep, pray make an end of the agreeable History of the King of the Black-Isles, I am ready to die with Impatience to know how he came to be chang’d into Marble. You shall hear it, replies Scheherazade, if the Sultan will give us leave.

I found the Queen lying by me then, says the King of the Black-Islands, I can’t tell you whether she sleep’d of not but I got up without making any Noise, and went to my Closet, where I made an end of dressing my self. I afterwards went and held my Council, and at my return, the Queen was clad in Mourning, her Hair hanging about her Eyes, and part of it pull’d off, presented her self before me, and said; Sir, I come to beg your Majesty not to be surpriz’d to see men this Condition; three afflicting pieces of News I have just now receiv’d all at once, are the Cause of my heavy Grief, of which the Tokens you see are but very saint Resemblances. Alas! what is that News, Madam, says I? The Death of the Queen my dear Mother, answers she, that of the King my Father, kill’d in Battle, and that of one of my Brothers, who is fallen headlong into a Pit.

I was not ill-pleas’d, that she made use of this Pretext, to hide the true Cause of her Grief, and I thought she had not suspected me to have kill’d her Gallant, Madam, says I, I am so far from blaming your Grief, that I assure you, I am willing to bear what share of it is proper for me, I should very much wonder, if you were insensible of so great a Loss; Mourn on, your Tears are so many Proofs of your good Nature; but I hope, however, that Time and Reason will moderate your Grief.

She retir’d into her Apartment, where giving her self wholly up to Sorrow, she spent a whole Year in Mourning, and afflicting her self. At the end of that time she beg’d leave of me, to build a Burying-place for her self, within the Bounds of the Palace, where she would continue, she told she told me, to the end of her Days: I agreed to it, and she built a stately Palace, with a Cupulo, that may be seen here, and she called it the Palace of Tears: When it was finish’d, she caus’d bring her Gallant thither, from the Place whither she had made him be carried the same Night that I wounded him; she had hinder’d his dying, by a Drink she gave him, and carried to him her self every Day, after he came to the Palace of Tears.

Yet, with all her Enchantments, she could not cure the Wretch; he was not only unable to walk, and to help himself, but had also lost the Use of his Speech, and gave no sign of Life, but only by his Looks. Tho’ the Queen had no other Consolation but to see him, and to say to him all that her foolish Passion could inspire her with, yet every Day she made him two long Visits: I was very well inform’d of all this, but pretended to know nothing of it.

One Day I went out of Curiosity to the Palace of Tears, to see how the Princess employ’d her self, and going to a place where she could not see me, I heard her speak thus to her Gallant; I am afflicted to the highest Degree, to see you in this Condition; I am as sensible as you your self of the tormenting Grief you endure; but, dear Soul, I always speak to you and you don’t answer me: How: long will you be silent? Speak only one Word: Alas! the sweetest Moments of my Life, are these I spend here in partaking of your Grief, I cannot live at a Distance from you, and wou’d prefer the Pleasure of always seeing you to the Empire of the Universe.

At these Words, which were several times interrupted by her Sighs and Sobs, I loss all patience, and discovering my self came up to her, and said, Madam, you have mourn’d enough, it’s time to give over this Sorrow, which dishonours us both; you have too much forgot what you owe to me and to your self. Sir, says she, it you have any. Kindness or Complaisance left for me, I beseech you put no Force upon me, allow me to give my self up to mortal Grief, it’s impossible Time for to lessen it.

When I saw that my Discourse, instead of bringing her to Duty, serv’d only to increase her Rage, I gave over and retir’d. She continued every Day to visit her Gallant, and for two whole Years gave her self up to excessive Grief.

I went a second time to the Palace of Tears, while she was there, I hid my self again, and heard her speak thus to her Gallant: It is now three Years since you spoke one Word to me, you return no Answer to the Marks of Love I give you, by my Discourses and Groans. Is it from want of Sense, or out of Contempt? O Tomb! have you abated that excessive Love he had for me? Have you shut those Eyes that shew’d me so much Love, and were all my Joy? No, no, I believe nothing of it. Tell me rather, by what Miracle you become entrusted with the rarest Treasure that ever was in the World,

I must confess, my Lord, I was enrag’d at these Words; for, in short, this Gallant so much doted upon this ador’d Mortal, was not such an one as you would imagine him to have been: He was a black Indian, a Native of that Country. I say, I was so enrag’d at that Discourse, that I discover’d my self all of a sudden, and addressing the Tomb in my turn, O Tomb! cry’d I, why don’t you swallow up that Monster in Nature? or rather, why don’t you swallows up the Gallant and his Mistress?

I had scarce finish’d those Words when the Queen, who sat by the Black, rose up like a Fury. Ah cruel Man! says she, thou art the Cause of my Grief; don’t you think but I know it? I have dissembled it but too long, it’s thy barbarous Hand which hath brought the Object of my Love to this lamentable Condition; and you are so hard-hearted, as to come and insult a despairing Lover. Yes, said I, in a Rage, it’s I who chastiz’d that Monster according to his Desert; I ought to have treated thee in the same manner; I repent now that I did not do it, thou hast abus’d my Goodness too long. As I spoke these Words, I drew out my Scimiter, and lifted up my Hand to punish her; but she stedfastly beholding me, says with a jeering Smile, moderate thy Anger. At the same time, she pronounc’d Words I did not understand; and afterwards added, By Virtue of my Enchantments, I command thee immediately to become Marble and half Man. Immediately, my Lord, I became such as you see me already, a dead Man among the Living, and a living Man among the Dead———Here Scheherazade perceiving Day, broke off her Story.

Upon which Dinarzade says, dear Sister, I am extreamly oblig’d to the Sultan, it’s to his Goodness I owe the extraordinary Pleasure I have in your Stories, My Sister, replies the Sultaness, if the Sultan will be so good as to suffer me to live till to-morrow, I shall tell you a Thing that will afford as much Satisfaction as any thing you have yet heard, Tho’ Schahriar had not resolv’d to defer the Death of Scheherazade a Month longer, he could not have order’d her to be put to Death that Day.

The Twenty Fifth Night.

TOwards the end of the Night, Dinarzade cry’d, Sister; if I don’t trespass too much upon your Complaisance, I would pray you to finish the History of the King of the Black Islands. Scheherazade having awak’d upon her Sister’s Call, prepar’d to give her the Satisfaction she requir’d, and began thus.

The King, half Marble and half Man, continu’d his History to the Sultan, thus; after this cruel Magician, unworthy of the Name of a Queen, had metamorphos’d me thus, and brought me into this Hall by another Enchantment, she destroy’d my Capitol, which was very flourishing and full of People, she abolish’d the Houses, the publick Places and Markets, and made a Pond and desert Field of it, which you may have seen; the Fishes of four Colours in the Pond, are the four Sorts of People, of different Religions, that inhabited the Place: The White are the Mussulmen, the Red the Persians, who worshipped the Fire, the Blue the Christians, and the Yellow the Jews: The four little Hills were the four Islands that gave Name to this Kingdom. I learn’d all this from the Magician, who, to add to my Affliction, told me with her own Mouth, those Effects of her Rage. But this is not all, her Revenge was not satisfy’d with the Destruction of my Dominions, and the Metamorphosis of my Person, she comes every Day, and gives me over my naked Shoulders an hundred Blows with Ox-pizzles, which makes me all over Blood; and when she has done so, covers me with a coarse Stuff of Goats Hair, and throws over it this Robe of Brocade that you see, not to do me Honour, but to mock me.

At this Part of the Discourse, the young King could not withold his Tears; and the Sultan’s Heart was so pierc’d with the Relation, that he could not speak one Word to comfort him. A little time after, the young King lifting up his Eyes to Heaven, cry’d out, Mighty Creator of all Things, I submit my self to your Judgments, and to the Decrees of your Providence: I endure my Calamities with Patience, since it’s your Will it should be so; but I hope your infinite Goodness will reward me for it.

The Sultan being much mov’d by the Recital of so strange a Story, and animated to revenge this unfortunate Prince, says to him, Tell me whither this persidious Magician retires; and where her unworthy Gallant may be, who is bury’d before his Death. My Lord, replies the Prince, her Gallant, as I have already told you, is in the Palace of Tears, in a Tomb in Form of a Dome, and that Palace joyns to this Castle on the Side of the Gate; to the Magician, I can’t precisely tell whither she retires, but every Day at Sun-rising she goes to see her Gallant, after having executed her bloody Vengeance upon me, as | have told you; and you see I am not in a Condition to defend my self against so great Cruelty. She carries him the Drink with which she has hitherto prevented his dying, and always complains of his never speaking to her since he was wounded.

Oh unfortunate Prince, says the Sultan, you can never be enough bewail’d! No body can be more sensibly touch’d with your Condition than I am; never did such an extraordinary Misfortune befal any Man, and those who write your History will have the Advantage to relate a Passage that surpasses all that has ever yet been writ. There’s nothing wanting but one thing, the Revenge which is due to you, and I will omit nothing that can be done to procure it.

While the Sultan discours’d upon this Subject with the young Prince, he told him who he was, and for what end he entred the Castle, and thought on a way to revenge him, which he communicated to him. They agreed upon the Measures they were to take for effecting their Design, but deferr’d the Execution of it till the next Day. In the mean time, the Night being far spent, the Sultan took some Rest, but the poor young Prince pass’d the Night without Sleep, as usual, having never slept since he was enchanted, but he conceiv’d some Hopes of being speedily delivered from his Misery.

Next Morning the Sultam got up before Day, and, in order to execute his Design, he hid in a Corner his upper Garment that would have been cumbersome to him, and went to the Palace of Tears. He found it enlightned with an infinite Number of Flambeaus of white Wax, and a delicious Scent issued from several Boxes of fine Gold of admirable Workmanship, all ranged in excellent Order: As soon as he saw the Bed where the Black lay, he drew his Scimiter, kill’d the Wretch without Resistance, dragg’d his Corps into the Court of the Castle, and threw it into a Well. After this he went and lay down-in the Black’s Bed, and took his Scimiter with him under the Counterpane, and lay there to execute what he had design’d.

The Magician arriv’d in a little time: She first went into the Chamber where her Husband the King of the Black-Islands was, stripp’d him and beat him with Bulls Pizzles in a most barbarous manner. The poor Prince fill’d the Palace with his Lamentations to no purpose, and conjur’d her in the most affecting manner that could be, to take pity on him, but the cruel Woman would not give over, till she had given him an hundred Blows. You had no Campassion on my Lover, says she, and you are to expect none from me.——Scheherazade perceiving Day, stopp’d and could go no further.

O Heav’ns! says Dinarzade, Sister, this was a barbarous Enchantress indeed! but must we stop here? Will you not tell us, whether she receiv’d the Chastisement she deserv’d? My dear Sister, says the Sultaness, as I desire nothing more, than to acquaint you with it to morrow, but you know that depends on the Sultan’s Pleasure. After what Schahriar had heard, he was far from any Design to put Scheherazade to Death; on the contrary, says he to himself, I will not take away her Life, till she has finish’d this surprising Story, tho’ it should last for two Months. It shall always be in my Power to keep the Oath I have made.

The Twenty Sixth Night.

AS soon as Dinarzade thought it time to call the Sultaness, she says to her: How much should I be obliged to you, dear Sister, if you would tell us what passed in the Palace of Tears. Schahriar having signified that he was as curious to know it as Dinarzade, the Sultaness resum’d the Story of the young enchanted Prince, as follows.

Sir, after the Enchantress had given the King, her Husband, an hundred Blows with Bulls Pizzles, she put on again his Covering of Goats Hair, and his Brocado Gown over all; she went afterwards to the Palace of Tears, and as she entred the same, she renewed her Tears and Lamentations; then approaching the Bed, where she thought her Gallant was, What Cruelty, cries she, was it to disturb the Contentment of so tender and passionate a Lover as I am! O thou who reproachest me that I am too inhuman, when I make thee feel the Effects of my Resentment. Cruel Prince, does not thy Barbariety surpass my Vengeance? Ah Traitor! in attempting the Life of the Object which I adore, hast not thou robbed me of mine? Alas! says she, addressing her self to the Sultan, while she thought she spoke to the Black: My Soul, my Life, will you always be silent? Are you resolv’d to let me die, without giving me so much Comfort as to tell me that you love me? My Soul, speak one Word to me, at least, I conjure you.

The Sultan making as if he had wak’d out of a deep Sleep, and counterfeiting the Language of the Blacks, answers the Queen with a grave Tone, There’s no Force or Power but in God alone, who is Almighty. At these Words, the Enchantress, who did not expect them, gave a great Shout, to signify her excessive Joy. My dear Lord, cries she, don’t I deceive my self, is it certain that I hear you, and you speak to me? Unhappy Wretch, replies the Sultan, art thou worthy that I should answer thy Discourse? Alas! replies the Queen, why do you reproach me thus? The Cries, replied he, the Groans and Tears of thy Husband, who thou treatest every Day with so much Indignity and Barbarity, hinder me to sleep Night and Day. I should have been cur’d long ago, and have recover’d the Use of my Speech, hadst thou disenchanted him. That’s the Cause of my Silence, which you complain of. Very well, says the Enchantress, to pacify you, I am ready to do what you will command me; would you that I restore him as he was? Yes, replies the Sultan, make haste to set him at Liberty, that I be no more disturb’d with his Cries.

The Enchantress went immediately out of the Palace of Tears, she took a Cup of Water, and pronounc’d Words over it, which caus’d it to boil, as if it had been on the Fire. She went afterwards to the Hall, to the young King her Husband, and threw the Water upon him, saying, If the Creator of all things did form thee so as thou art at present; or if he be angry with thee, don’t change. But if thou art in that Condition, meerly by Virtue of my Enchantments, resume thy natural Shape, and become what thou wast before. She had scarce spoke these Words, when the Prince finding himself restor’d to his former Condition, rose up freely, with all imaginable Joy, and return’d Thanks to God. The Enchantress then said to him, Get thee gone from this Castle, and never return here on Pain of Death. The young King yielding to Necessity, went away from the Enchantress, without replying one Word; and retir’d to a remote Place, where he impatiently expected the Success of the Design which the Sultan had begun so happily. Mean while the Enchantress return’d to the Palace of Tears, and supposing that she still spoke to the Black, says, Dear Lover, I have done what you ordered, let nothing now hinder you to give me that Satisfaction of which I have been depriv’d so long.

The Sultan continued to counterfeit the Language of the Blacks: That which you have just now done, said he, signifies nothing to my Cure, you have only eas’d me of part of my Disease; you must cut it up by the Roots. My lovely Black, replies she, What do you mean by the Root? Unfortunate Woman, replies the Sultan, don’t you understand that I mean the Town, and its Inhabitants, and the four Islands, which thou hast destroy’d by thy Enchantments?

The Fishes every Night at midnight, raise their Heads out of the Pond, and cry for Vengeance against thee and me. This is the true Cause of the Delay of my Cure. Go speedily, restore things as they were, and at thy Return I will give thee my Hand, and thou shalt help me to rise.

The Enchantress fil’d with Hopes from those Words, cried out in a Transport of Joy, My Heart, my Soul, you shall soon be restor’d to your Health, for I will immediately do what you command me. Accordingly she went that Moment and when she came to the Brink of the Pond, she took a little Water in her Hand, and sprinkling it——Here Scheherazade saw Day, and stopp’d.

Dinarzade says to the Sultaness, Sister, I am much rejoyc’d to hear that the young King of the Four Black-Islands was disenchanted, and I already consider the Town and the Inhabitants, as restor’d to their former State; but I long to know what will become of the Enchantress. Have a little Patience, Sister, replies the Sultaness, you shall have the Satisfaction you desire to morrow, if the Sultan my Lord will consent to it. Schahriar having resolv’d on’t already, as was said before, rose up and went about his Business.

The Twenty Seventh Night.

AT the usual Hour, Dinarazade call’d upon the Sultaness, thus: Dear Sister, pray tell us what was the Fate of the Magician Queen, as you promis’d us. Upon which Scheherazade went on thus: The Enchantress had no sooner sprinkled the Water, and pronounced some Words over the Fishes and the Pond, but the City was restored that very Minute. The Fishes became Men, Women and Children; Mahometans, Christians, Persians or Jews; Freemen or Slaves, as they were before; every one having recover’d their natural Form. The Houses and Shops were immediately fill'd with their Inhabitants, who found all things as they were before the Enchantment. The Sultan’s numerous Retinue, who found themselves encamp’d in the largest Square, were astonish’d to see themselves in an Instant, in the middle of a large, fine, and well-peopled City.

To return to the Enchantress: As soon as she had made this wonderful Change, she return’d with all Diligence to the Palace of Tears, that she might reap the Fruits of it. My dear Lord, cries she, as she entred, I come to rejoice with you for the Return of your Health; I have done all that you requir’d of me, then pray rise and give me your Hand. Come near, says the Sultan, still counterfeiting the Language of the Blacks. She did so. You are not near enough, replies he, come nearer; she obey’d; then he arose up and seiz’d her by the Arm so suddenly, that she had not time to know who it was, and with a Blow of his Scimiter cut her in two, so that the one half fell one way, and the other another. This being done, he left the Carcase upon the Place, and going out of the Palace of Tears, he went to seek the young King of the Black-Isles, who waited for him with a great deal of Impatience; and when he found him, Prince, says he, embracing him, rejoice; you have nothing to fear now, your cruel Enemy is dead.

The young Prince return’d Thanks to the Sultan in such a manner, as shew’d that he was throughly sensible of the Kindness that he had done him, and in Acknowledgment wish’d him a long Life and all Happiness. You may henceforward, says the Sultan, dwell peaceably in your Capitol, except you will go to mine, which is so near, where you shall be very welcome, and have as much Honour and Respect as if you were at home. Potent Monarch, to whom I am so much indebted, replies the King, you think then that you are very near your Capitol; yes, says the Sultan, I know it, it is not above four or five Hours Journey, It will take you a whole Year’s Journey, says the Prince. I do believe indeed that you came hither from your Capitol in the time you spoke of, because mine was enchanted but since the Enchantment is taken off, things are changed: However this shall not hinder me to follow you, were it to the utmost Corners of the Earth. You are my Deliverer, and that I may give you Proofs of my acknowledging this, during my whole Life, I am willing to accompany you, and to leave my Kingdom without Regret.

The Sultan was extreamly surpriz’d, to understand that he was so far from his Dominions, and could not imagine how it cou’d be. But the young King of the Black-Islands convinc’d him so plainly, that he could no more doubt of it. Then the Sultan replied, It is no matter, the Trouble that I shall have to return to my own Country, is sufficiently recompensed by the Satisfaction I have had to oblige you, and by acquiring you for a Son; for since you will do me the Honour to attend me, and that I have no Child, I look upon you as one, and from this Moment I appoint you my Heir and Successor.

This Discourse between the Sultan and the King of the Black-Islands concluded with most affectionate Embraces, after which the young Prince was wholly taken up in making Preparations for his Journey, which were finish’d in three Weeks time, to the great Regret of his Court and Subjects, who agreed to receive at his Hands one of his nearest Kindred for King.

At last the Sultan and young Prince began their Journey, with an hundred Camels laden with inestimable Riches from the Treasury of the young King, follow’d by fifty handsome Gentlemen, on Horse-back, perfectly well mounted and dress’d. They had a very happy Journey; and when the Sultan, who had sent Couriers to give Advice of his Delay, and of the Adventure which had occasion’d it, came near his Capitol, the principal Officers he had left there, came to receive him, and to assure him that his long Absence had occasion’d no Alteration in his Empire. The Inhabitants came out also in great Crowds, received him with mighty Acclamations, and made publick Rejoycings for several Days.

Next Day after his Arrival, the Sultan gave all his Courtiers a very ample Account of all things, which contrary to his Expectation had detain’d him thy. He acquainted them with his having adopted the King of the Four Black-Islands, who was willing to leave a great Kingdom to accompany and live with him, and in short, as an Acknowledgment of their Loyalty, he rewarded each of them according to their Rank.

And for the Fisherman, as he was the first Cause of the Deliverance of the young Prince, the Sultan gave him a plentiful Estate, which made him and his Family happy the rest of his Days.

Here Scheherazade made an end of the Story of the Fisherman and the Genie. Dinorzade signified, that she had taken a great deal of Pleasure in it; and Schahriar having said the same thing, the Sultaness told ’em, that she knew another which was much finer, and if the Sultan would give her leave, she would tell it ’em next Morning, for Day began to appear. Schahriar bethinking himself, that he had granted the Sultaness a Month’s Reprieve, and being curious moreover to know if this new Story would be as agreeable as she promis’d, got up with a Design to hear it next Night.