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 what you tell me, I must confess, that his wisdom is worthy of his people, and his people deserve so wise a prince.’ Having spoken thus, he dismissed me, and sent me home with a rich present.

Sinbad left off, and his company retired, Hindbad having first received one hundred sequins; and next day they returned to hear the relation of his seventh and last voyage.

“Being returned from my sixth voyage,” said Sinbad, “I absolutely laid aside all thoughts of travelling; for, besides that my age now required rest, I was resolved no more to expose myself to such risks as I had encountered; so that I thought of nothing but to pass the rest of my days in tranquillity. One day, however, as I was treating my friends, one of my servants came and told me that an officer of the caliph’s inquired for me. I rose from table, and went to him. ‘The caliph,’ said he, ‘has sent me to tell you that he must speak with you.’ I followed the officer to the palace, where, being presented to the caliph, I saluted him by prostrating myself at his feet. ‘Sinbad,’ said he to me, ‘I stand in need of your service; you must carry my answer and present to the King of Serendib. It is but just I should return his civility.’

“This command of the caliph was to me like a clap of thunder. ‘Commander of the Faithful,’ I replied, ‘I am ready to do whatever your majesty shall think fit to command; but I beseech you most humbly to consider what I have undergone. I have also made a vow never to go out of Bagdad.’ Hence I took occasion to give him a full and particular account of all my adventures, which he had the patience to hear out.