Arabs -- Folklore; Fairy tales -- Arab countries; Tales -- Arab countries
This prince, filled with wonder and astonishment, and well satisfied
at the alterations and changes that he had been the means of
effecting, performed some actions which will be eternally spoken of.
He first of all called his son, Prince Amin, and told him he was
acquainted with the secret of his marriage, and informed him of the
cause of the wound in Aminè’s cheek. The prince did not wait till
his father ordered him to take her again, but immediately received
her.
The caliph next declared that he bestowed his heart and hand upon
Zobeidè, and proposed her other three sisters to the calenders, the
sons of kings, who accepted them with much joy for their wives. The
caliph then assigned a most magnificent palace to each of them in
the city of Bagdad; he raised them to the first offices of the
empire, and admitted them into his council. They sent for the first
cadi of Bagdad, who, with proper witnesses, drew up the forms of
marriage; and the illustrious and famous caliph Haroun Alraschid, in
bestowing happiness on so many persons, who had experienced such
incredible misfortunes, acquired a thousand benedictions.
THE HISTORY
OF SINDBAD, THE SAILOR.
In the reign of the same caliph, Sire, whom I mentioned in my last
story, namely, Haroun Alraschid, there lived in Bagdad a poor
porter, who was named Hindbad. One day, during the excessive heats
of summer, he was carrying a heavy load from one extremity of the
city to the other, and being much fatigued by the length of way he
had already come, and having still much ground to traverse, he
arrived in a street where the pavement was sprinkled with
rose-water; and a gentle breeze refreshed the air. Delighted with
this cool and pleasant situation, he placed his load on the ground,
and took his station near a large mansion. The delicious scent of
aloes and frankincense which issued from the windows, and mixing
with the rose-water, perfumed the air, together with a charming
concert within, which was accompanied by the melody of the
nightingales and other birds peculiar to the climate of Bagdad, and
the smell of different sorts of viands led him to suppose that some
grand feast was given there. He wished to know whose residence it
was; for, not having frequent occasion to pass that way, he was
unacquainted with the names of the inhabitants. To satisfy his
curiosity, therefore, he approached some servants who were standing,
magnificently dressed, at the door, and inquired who was the master
of that mansion. “What,” replied the servant, “are you an
inhabitant of Bagdad, and do not know that this is the residence of
Sindbad, the sailor, that famous voyager, who has sailed over all
the seas under the sun?” The porter, who had heard of the immense
riches of Sindbad, could not help comparing his situation, which
appeared so enviable, with his own, which was so deplorable; and,
distressed by the reflection he raised his eyes to heaven, and
exclaimed in a loud voice, “Almighty Creator of all things, be
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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