We fixed a day for our departure, and accordingly entered upon our travels. We passed through Syria and Mesopotamia, travelled all over Persia, and after stopping at several cities, came at last, sir, to your capital. Some time after our arrival in this place, the young man having formed a design of returning to Persia, and settling there, we balanced our accounts and parted very good friends. He went from hence, and I, sir, continue here in your majesty’s service. This is the story I had to tell you: does not your majesty find it more surprising than that of the crooked buffoon? The sultan of Casgar fell into a passion against the Christian merchant. You are very bold, said he, to tell me a story so little worth my hearing, and then to compare it to that of my jester. Can you flatter yourself so far as to believe that the trifling adventures of a young debauchee can make such an impression upon me as those of my jester? I will hang you all four, to revenge his death. Hearing this, the purveyor fell down frighted at the sultan’s feet. Sir, said he, I humbly beseech your majesty to suspend your just wrath, and hear my story; and if it appears to your majesty to be prettier than that of your jester, to pardon us all four. The sultan having granted this request, the purveyor began thus: The Story told by the Sultan of Casgar’s Purveyor. Sir, --A person of quality invited me yesterday to his daughter’s wedding: I went to his house in the evening, at the hour appointed, and found there a large company of doctors, ministers of justice, and others of the best quality in the city. After the ceremony was over, we had a splendid feast; and among other things set upon the table, there was a course with garlic sauce, which indeed was very delicious, and coveted by every body; we observed, however, that one of the guests did not offer to touch it, though it stood just before him, and we invited him to do as we did. But he conjured us not to press him upon that head. I will take care, said he, not to touch any dish that has garlic in it; I remember too well what the tasting of such an one cost me once before. We entreated him to tell us what was the occasion of his strong aversion to garlic; but before he had time to make answer, Is it thus, said the master of the house, that you honour my table? This ragout is excellent, do not you pretend to be excused from eating of it; you must do me that favour as well as the rest. --Sir, said the gentleman, who was a Bagdad merchant, I hope you do not think I refuse to eat it out of a mistaken nicety; if you will have me eat of it, I will do it; but still upon this condition, that after eating of it, I may wash my hands, with your good leave, forty times with alcali, [70] forty times more with the ashes of the same plant, and forty times again with soap. I hope you will not take it ill that I stipulate this condition, in pursuance of an oath I have made never to taste garlic without observing it.