The sultan continued walking a long time from one apartment to another, where every thing was grand and magnificent. Being rather fatigued, he sat down in an open cabinet, which looked into the garden. Here he meditated upon all he had seen, or might yet see; and was reflecting on the different objects, when suddenly a plaintive voice, accompanied by the most heart-rending cries, struck his ear. He listened attentively, and distinctly heard these melancholy words: “O fortune, thou hast not suffered me long to enjoy my happy lot, but hast rendered me the most wretched of men; cease, I entreat thee, thus to persecute me, and by a speedy death put an end to my sufferings! alas, is it possible I can still exist, after all the torments I have suffered?” The sultan, much affected by these lamentable complaints, immediately got up, and went towards the spot, whence they issued. He came to the entrance of a large hall; he drew the door-curtain aside, and saw a young man seated upon a sort of throne, raised a little from the ground. He appeared well made and was very richly dressed. Sorrow was impressed on his countenance. The sultan approached and saluted him. The youth returned the compliment by bending his head very low, but did not rise. “I am sure, Sir,” said he to the sultan, “I ought to get up to receive you, and shew you all possible respect, but a most powerful reason prevents me; you will not therefore, I trust, take it ill.”--“I feel myself highly honoured, sir,” replied the sultan, by the good opinion you express of me. Whatever may be your motive for not rising, I willingly receive your apologies. Attracted by your complaints, and impelled by your sufferings, I come to offer you my assistance. I trust I shall be permitted to afford some consolation to you in your misfortunes, and I will use all my endeavours to do so. I flatter myself you will not object to relate the history of your sorrows to me. But, in the first place, I beg of you to inform me, what that pond, which is near this castle, means, where there are fish of four different colours: how also this castle came here, and you thus in it and alone! Instead of answering these questions, the young man began to weep most bitterly. “How inconstant is fortune,” he cried, “she delights in crushing those whom she has elevated. Who can say they have ever enjoyed from her a life of calm and pure happiness?” The sultan, touched with compassion at his situation, requested him again to relate the cause of such sorrow: “Alas, my lord,” answered the youth, “can I be otherwise than afflicted, or can these eyes ever cease from shedding tears?” At these words he lifted up his robe, and the sultan perceived he was a man only to his waist, and that from thence to his feet he was changed into black marble.