Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 3.djvu/2

laying off his Burden, he ſat down by it, near a great Houſe.

He was mightily pleas’d that he ſtop’d in this Place; for an agreeable Smell of Wood of Aloes, and of Paſtils that came from the Houſe, mixing with the Scent of the Roſe-water, did comp’eatly perfume and embalm the Air. Beſides, he heard, from within, a Conſort of ſeveral Sorts of inſtrumental Muſick, accompanied with the harmonious Notes of Nightingales, and other Birds, peculiar to that Climate. This charming Melody, and the Smell of ſeveral Sorts of Victuals, made the Porter to think, That there was a Feaſt, and great Rejoycings within. His Occafions leading him ſeldom that way, he knew not who dwelt in the Houſe: But to ſatisfy his Curioſity, he went to ſome of the Servants, whom he ſaw ſtanding in the Gate in magnificent Apparel, and ask’d the Name of the Maſter of the Houſe. How, reply’d one of em, do you live in Bagdad, and know not that this is the Houſe of Seignior Sinbad, the Sailor, that famous Traveller, who has ſail’d round the World? The Porter, who had heard of Sindbad’s Riches could not but envy a Man whoſe Condition he thought to be as happy, as his own was deplorable: And his Mind being fretted with thoſe Reflections, he lifted up his Eyes to Heaven, and ſays, loud enough to be heard, Almighty Creator of all Things, conſider the Difference between Sindbad and me. I am every Day expoſed to Fatigues and Calamities, and can ſcarce get coarſe Barley Bread for my ſelf and my Family, whilſt happy Sindbad profuſely expends immenſe Riches, and leads a Life of continued Pleaſure. What his he done to obtain from Thee a Lot fo agreeable? And what have I done to deſerve one ſo miſerable? Having finiſh’d his Expostulation, he ſtruck his Foot againſt the Ground, like a Man ſwallow’d up of Grief and Deſpair.

Whilſt the Porter was thus indulging his Melancholy, a Servant came out of the Houſe, and taking him by the Arm, bid him follow him, for Seignior Sindbad, his Maſter, wanted to ſpeak with him. Here, Day beginning to appear, Scheherazade broke off her Story, but reſum’d it again next Morning, as follows.