Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 2.djvu/5

any thing elſe, take heed you do not once open your Mouth to ask the Reaſon of it, for if you ask Queſtions about that which does not belong to you, you may come to know that which will be no way pleaſing to you; beware therefore, and do, not be too curious to dive into the Motives of our Actions,

Madam, replied the Porter, I promiſe to obſerve this Condition with ſuch exactneſs, that you ſhall have no cauſe to reproach me with breaking it, and far leſs to puniſh my Indiſcretion; my Tongue ſhall be immoveable on this Occaſion, and my Eyes like a Looking-glaſs, which retain nothing of the Object that is ſet before it; and to ſhew you, ſays Zobeide with a ſerious Countenance, that what we demand of you is not a new Thing among us, Riſe up and read what is wrote over our Gate on the Inſide.

The Porter went thither and read theſe Words, writ it large Characters of Gold: He who ſpeaks of things that don’t concern him, ſhall hear of things that won’t pleaſe him. Returning again to the three Siſters, Ladies, ſays he, I give you my Oath, that you ſhall never hear me ſpeak any thing that does not concern me, or wherein you may have any Concern.

This Agreement being made, Amine brought in Supper, and after the Room was ſet round with Tapers, that were mix’d with Aloes and Ambergreeſe, which gave a moſt agreeable Scent as well as a delicate Light; ſhe ſat down at Table with her Siſters and the Porter. They began again to eat and drink, ſing, and repeat Verſes. The Ladies took pleaſure to fuddle the Porter, under pretext of cauſing him to drink their Healths, and abundance of witty Sentences paſſed on both Sides. In ſhort, as they were all in the beſt Humour of the World, they heard one knocking at the Gate. Scheherazade was oblig’d to ſtop here, becauſe ſhe obſerv’d Day-light appearing.

The Sultan not doubting the Sequel of this Hiſtory deſerv’d to be heard, put it off till the Day following, and ſo aroſe.