第52章 THE PORTER AND THE THREE LADIES OF BAGHDAD.(27)

replied he'I know notfor I never saw it before nor have I ever sailed this sea in my life；but since the affair has issued in safetyye have nought to do but to land your goodsand if ye find a marketsell and buy and barteras the occasion serves；if notwe will rest here two daysre-victual and depart.'So we entered the harbour and the captain landed and was absent awhileafter which he returned and said to us'Arisego up into the city and marvel at God's dealings with His creatures and seek to be preserved from His wrath.'So we landed and going up to the citysaw at the gate men with staves in their hands；but when we drew near them，beholdthey had been stricken by the wrath of God and were become stones. Then we entered the city and found all its in habitants changed into black stones： there was not a living soul thereinnonot a blower of the fire. At this we were amazed and passed on through the bazaarswhere we found all the goods and gold and silver left lying in their placesand rejoiced and said'Doubtlessthere is some mystery in all this.'Then we dispersed about the streets of the city and each busied himself with making prize of the wealth and stuffs lying about and took no heed of his comradeswhilst I went up to the citadel and found it goodly of fashion. I entered the king's palace and saw all the vessels of gold and silver and the king himself seated in the midst of his officers and grandeesclad in raiment such as confounded the wit. The throne on which he sat was encrusted with pearls and jewels and his robes were of cloth of goldadorned with all manner jewelsthat shone like stars. Around him stood fifty white slaveswith drawn swords in their hands and clad in divers sorts of silken stuffs；but when I drew near to them，beholdthey were all black stones. My understanding was confounded at the sightbut I went on and came to the saloon of the haremwhich I found hung with tapestries of gold-striped silk and spread with carpets of the sameembroidered with flowers of gold. Here I saw the queen lyingarrayed in a robe covered with fresh pearls as big as hazel-nuts and crowned with a diadem set with all manner jewels. Her neck was covered with collars and necklaces and all her clothes and ornaments were unchangedbut she herself had been smitten of God and was become black stone. Presently I spied an open doorwith seven steps leading to itand going upfound myself in a place paved with marble and hung and carpeted with gold-embroidered stuffs. At the upper end stood an alcove with drawn curtains and I saw a light issuing thence. So I went up to the alcove and found therein a couch of juniper woodinlaid with pearls and diamonds and set with bosses of emeraldswith silken coverings of bewildering richness and curtains of the samelooped up with pearls. At the head of the bed stood two lighted candles and in the midst of the alcove was a little stoolon which lay a jewelthe size of a goose's eggthat shone like a lamp and lighted the whole place；but there was no one to be seen. When I saw these thingsI wondered and said'Some one must have lighted these candles.'

Then I went out and came to the kitchen and thence to the buttery and the king's treasuries and continued to explore the palace and to go from place to place；and for wonderment at what I sawI forgot myself and wandered onlost in thoughttill the night overtook me. Then I would have gone outbut lost my way and could not find the gate；so I returned to the alcovewhere I lay down on the bed and covering myself with a quiltrepeated somewhat of the Koran and would have sleptbut could notfor restlessness possessed me. In the middle of the nightI heard a low sweet voice reciting the Koranwhereat I rejoiced and risingfollowed the soundtill it led me to a chamber with the door ajar. I looked through the chink of the door and saw an oratorywherein was a prayer-niche with candles burning and lamps hanging from the ceiling. In the midst was spread a prayer-carpeton which sat a handsome youthwith a copy of the Koran open before himfrom which he was reading. I wondered to see him alone alive of all the people of the city and entered and saluted him；whereupon he raised his eyes and returned my salutation. Then said I'I implore theeby the truth of that thou readest from the book of Godto answer me my questions.'He looked at me with a smile and said'O handmaid of Godtell me first how thou camest hitherand I will tell thee what has befallen me and the people of this city and the manner of my preservation.'So I told him my storyat which he marvelledand questioned him of the people of the city. Quoth he'Have patience with me a littleO my sister！'and shutting the Koran，laid it in a bag of satin. Then he made me sit down by his side，and I looked at him and beholdhe was like the moon at its full，bright-facedsoft-sidedwell-shaped and fair to look uponas he were a figure of sugareven as says the poet of the like of him：

A seer of the stars one night was reading the book of the skies，When loin his scroll he saw a lovely youth arise.

Saturn had dyed his hair the hue of the raven's wing And sprinkled upon his face the musk of Paradise ：

The rose of his cheeks from Mars its ruddy colour drewAnd the Archer winged the shafts that darted from his eyes.

Hermes dowered the youth with his own mercurial witAnd the Great Bear warded off the baleful glance of spies.

Wonder seized on the sage at the sight of the lovely boyFor the full moon kissed the earth before himservant-wise.

And indeed God the Most High had clad him in the garment of perfection and broidered it with the shining fringes of his cheekseven as says the poet of him：