Page:Voyages and travels of Sindbad the sailor (2).pdf/3



In the reign of the Caliph Haroun Alrasehid, there lived in the city of Bagdad, a poor porter named Hindbad. One day, when the weather was hot, Hindbad was employed to carry a heavy burthen to a great distance from that part of the city where he lived. Being faint with the heat, and having still a long way to go, he entered a street where a refreshing breeze blew on his face, and the pavement was sprinkled with rose- water. Glad to find such a resting-place, he laid down his load, and seated himself beside it, near to a great house. The windows of the house were open, and Hindbad was regaled with the smell of the richest perfumes that came from within. Presently he heard a delightful concert of all kinds of musical instruments, mixed with the finest voices, and the melodious notes of nightingales and other rare birds. Hindbad had never been in that quarter of the town before, and he felt a great desire to know to whom this magnificent house belonged. Seeing a servant standing at the gate in a splendid livery, he advanced towards him, and.with great humility inquired he name of the master of the house. “Is it possible,” said the servant, “that you are an inhabitant of Bagdad, and do not know that this is the house of Sindbad the Sailor, who has sailed round the world!” Poor Hindbad, who had often heard of the wonderful riches of Sindbad the Sailor, and whose condition he thought was as happy as his own was deplorable, turned away sorrowfully, and sitting down, cried aloud, “Alas! what a difference between this fortunate man and me ! I am every day exposed to the greatest fatigues, and all the wretchedness of extreme poverty, while happy Sindbad profusely expends immense riches, and leads a life of continual ease and pleasure. Oh, heavens! what has ho done to obtain a lot so fortunate? and why am I condemned to endure so much wretchedness?” While the poor man was thus indulging his grief, a servant came from the house, and told him that Signior Sindbad wished immediately to speak to him. Hindbad was greatly alarmed at this message, thinking that Sindbad had heard his lamentations, and was going to reproach or punish him; he therefore