Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 02
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Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 02
Literature -- Collections
showed me exceeding honor and bestowed on me a great present in return
for mine. Then I sold my bales and what other matters I owned, making a
great profit on them, and bought me other goods and gear of the growth
and fashion of the island-city. When the merchants were about to start
on their homeward voyage, I embarked on board the ship all that I
possessed, and going in to the King, thanked him for all his favors and
friendship, and craved his leave to return to my own land and friends.
He farewelled me and bestowed upon me great store of the country-stuffs
and produce; and I took leave of him and embarked. Then we set sail and
fared on nights and days, by the permission of Allah Almighty; and
Fortune served us and Fate favored us, so that we arrived in safety at
Bassorah-city where I landed rejoiced at my safe return to my natal
soil. After a short stay, I set out for Baghdad, the House of Peace,
with store of goods and commodities of great price. Reaching the city in
due time, I went straight to my own quarter and entered my house, where
all my friends and kinsfolk came to greet me. Then I bought me eunuchs
and concubines, servants and negro slaves, till I had a large
establishment, and I bought me houses, and lands and gardens, till I was
richer and in better case than before, and returned to enjoy the society
of my friends and familiars more assiduously than ever, forgetting all I
had suffered of fatigue and hardship and strangerhood and every peril of
travel; and I applied myself to all manner joys and solaces and
delights, eating the daintiest viands and drinking the deliciousest
wines; and my wealth allowed this state of things to endure. This, then,
is the story of my first voyage, and to-morrow, Inshallah! I will tell
you the tale of the second of my seven voyages. Saith he who telleth the
tale: Then Sindbad the Seaman made Sindbad the Landsman sup with him and
bade give him an hundred gold pieces, saying, "Thou hast cheered us with
thy company this day." The Porter thanked him, and taking the gift, went
his way, pondering that which he had heard and marveling mightily at
what things betide mankind.
CONCLUSION OF THE 'THOUSAND NIGHTS AND A NIGHT'
Translation of Captain Sir Richard F. Burton
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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