We passed that day in conversation upon indifferent subjects; and
when night was come, and every man had supped, the old man brought
in his blue basins, and the young gentlemen bedaubed their faces,
wept and beat themselves, crying, This is the fruit of our idleness
and debauches, as before, and continued the same actions the
following night. At last, not being able to resist my curiosity, I
earnestly prayed them to satisfy me, or show me how to return to my
own kingdom; for it was impossible for me to keep them company any
longer, and to see every night such an odd spectacle, without being
permitted to know the reason.
One of the gentlemen answered in behalf of the rest, Do not wonder
at our conduct in regard to yourself, and that hitherto we have not
granted your request: it is out of mere kindness to save you the
pain of being reduced to the same condition with us. If you have a
mind to try our unfortunate destiny, you need but speak, and we will
give you the satisfaction you desire. I told them I was resolved on
it, let what would be the consequence. Once more, said the same
gentleman, we advise you to restrain your curiosity: it will cost
you the loss of your right eye. No matter, said I; I declare to you,
that if such a misfortune befal me, I will not impute it to you but
to myself.
He farther represented to me, that when I had lost an eye, I must
not hope to stay with them, if I were so minded, because their
number was so complete, and no addition could be made to it. I told
them, that it would be a great satisfaction to me never to part from
such honest gentlemen, but if there were necessity for it, I was
ready to submit; and let it cost what it would, I begged them to
grant my request.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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