Part 18

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zobeidè, after listening to this narration, seemed to hesitate on what she should say; which the three calenders observing, they entreated her to be equally generous to the three pretended merchants of Moussoul, as she had been to them. “Well then,” she cried, “I agree to it. I wish all of you to be under the same obligation to me. I will therefore do you this favor, but it is only on condition that you instantly quit this house, and go wherever you please. Zobeidè gave this order in a tone of voice, that showed she meant to be obeyed: the caliph, the vizier, Mesrour, the three calenders, and the porter, therefore, went away without replying a word; for the presence of the seven armed slaves served to make them very respectful. They had no sooner left the house, and the door was shut, than the caliph said to the three calenders, at the same time without letting them know who he was, “What, gentlemen, as you are strangers, and but just arrived in this city, do you intend to do? and which way do you think of going, as it is not yet day-light?” --“This very thing, sir,” answered they, “much embarrasses us.”--“Follow us, then,” replied the caliph, “and we will relieve you from this difficulty.” He then whispered his vizier, and ordered him to conduct them to his own house, and bring them to the palace in the morning. “I wish,” added he, “to have their adventures written; for they are worthy of a place in the annals of my reign.”

The vizier Giafar carried the three calenders home; the porter went to his own house, and the caliph, accompanied by Mesrour, returned to his palace. He retired to his couch, but his mind was so entirely occupied by all the extraordinary things he had both seen and heard, he was unable to close his eyes. He was particularly anxious to know who Zobeidè was, and the motives she could possibly have for treating the two black dogs so ill; and also the reason that Aminè’s bosom was so covered with scars. The morning at length broke while he was still engaged with these reflections. He immediately got up, and went into the room where he held his councils; he then gave audience, and seated himself on his throne.

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

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

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

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

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

THE HISTORY OF ZOBEIDÈ.

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

After the death of our father, the estate which he left us was equally divided amongst us. When my two half-sisters had received their share, they went and lived with their mother; my other two sisters and I remained with ours, who was still alive, and who, when she died, left a thousand sequins to each of us. When we had received what belonged to us, my two elder sisters, for I am the youngest, married. They of course went to live with their husbands, and left me alone. Not long after their marriage, the husband of my eldest sister sold every thing he possessed, both of estate and moveables, and with the money he thus got together, and with what he received also with my sister, they both of them went over to Africa. Her husband there squandered away, in good living and dissipation, not only all his own fortune, but also that which my sister brought him. At length, finding himself reduced to the greatest distress, he found out some pretext for a divorce, and drove her from him.

She returned to Bagdad, but not without suffering almost incredible evils during so long a journey. She came to seek a refuge at my house in a state so deserving of pity, that she would have excited it even in the most obdurate hearts. I received her with every mark of affection she could expect from me; I inquired of her how she came to be in so wretched a condition; she informed me with tears in her eyes of the bad conduct of her husband, and of the unworthy treatment she had experienced from him. I was affected at her misfortunes, and mingled my tears with hers. I then made her go to the bath, and supplied her from my own wardrobe; this being done, I addressed these words to her: “You are my eldest sister, and I shall always look upon you as a mother. During your absence, God has caused the little fortune which has fallen to my lot to prosper; and the occupation I have followed has been that of breeding and bringing up silk-worms. Be assured, that every thing I possess is equally yours, and that you have the same power of disposing of it as myself.”

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

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

Every thing I said to them was without effect.--They had determined in their own minds to marry, and they executed their intentions. At the end, however, of a few months, they came again to me, and made a thousand excuses for not having followed my advice. “You are, it is true, our youngest sister,” they said, “but you possess more sense than we do. If you will once more receive us into your house, and only consider us as your slaves, we will never again be guilty of such a fault.”--“My dear sisters,” answered I, “my regard for you is not changed since last we parted. Return, and enjoy with me whatever I possess.” I embraced them, and we lived together as before.

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

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

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

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

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

There was a bolster upon each side of the bed, and a large lighted torch, the use of which I did not understand. This circumstance, however, led me to conclude, that there was some one alive in this superb palace; for I could not suppose, that these torches could continue burning of themselves. Many other singularities struck my attention in this chamber; but the diamond alone, which I have just mentioned, rendered it inestimable.

As all the doors were either wide open or only just pushed close, I passed through still more apartments, as beautiful as those which I had before seem I then went to the offices and store-rooms, which were filled with innumerable riches: and I was so much engaged in observing all these wonders that I absolutely forgot myself. I thought neither of my vessel, nor of my sisters, but was anxious only to satisfy my curiosity. In the mean time night came on, and its approach told me it was time to retire. I then wished to go back the same way I came, but it was no easy matter to find it again. I wandered about through the apartments, and finding myself in the large chamber, in which were the throne, the bed, the large diamond, and the lighted torches, I resolved to pass the night there, and early the next morning to go back to my vessel. I threw myself upon the bed, though not without some fear, in recollecting that I was alone in so deserted a place; and it was this fear, without doubt, which prevented me from sleeping.

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

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