# Arabian Nights Entertainments (1706)/Volume 3/The Story of Sindbad the Sailor

The Sixty Ninth Night.
The Story ofSindbadthe Sailor.
INARZADE having awaked her Siſter, the Sultaneſs, as uſual, and pray'd her to tell another Story; Scheherazade ask’d leave of the Sultan, and having obtain'd it, began thus.
Sir, In the Reign of the ſame Califf Haroun Alriſchid, whom I formerly mention'd, there liv'd at Bagdad, a poor Porter call'd Hinbad. One Day, when the Weather was exceſſive hot, he was employ'd to carry a heavy Burden from one end of the Town to t'other. Being very weary, and having ſtill a great Way to go, he came into a Street, where a delicate weſtern Breeze blew on his Face, and the Pavement of the Street being ſprinkled with Roſe-water, he could not deſire a better Place to reſt in. Therefore, ​lying 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 vou 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 Plenſure. 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 Expoltulation, 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.
The Seventieth Night.
SIR, Your Majeſty may eaſily imagine, that poor Hindbad was not a little ſurpriz’d at this Compliment; for, conlidering what he had faid, he was afraid Sindbad had ſent for him to puniſh him: Therefore he would have excus’d himſelf; alledging, That he could not leave his Burden in the middle of the Street. But Sindbad’s Servants aſſur’d him they would look to’t, and preſs’d the Porter ſo, that he was oblig’d to yield.
The Servants brought him into a great Ha!l, where Abundance of People ſat round a Table, cover’d with all ſorts of fine Diſhes. Ar the upper end there ſat a grave, comely, venerable Gentleman, with a long white Beard, and behind him ſtood a number of Officers and Domeſticks, all ready to ſerve him. This grave Gentleman was Sindbad. The Porter, whoſe Fear was encreaſed at the Sight of ſo many People, and of a Banquet ſo ſumptuous, ſaluted the Company, trembling. Sindbad bid him draw near, and ſetting him down at his Right-hand, ſerv’d him himſelf, and gave him exce’lent Wine, of which there was good Store upon the Side-Board.
When Dinner was over, Sindbad began his Diſcourſe to Hindbad; and calling him Brother according to the manner of Arabians when they are familiar one with another, he ask’d him his Name and Employment. Seignior, anſwer’d he, my Name is Hindbad. I am very glad to ſee you, replies Sindbad, and I dare ſay the ſame for all the Company: But I would be glad to hear from your own Mouth, what it is you ſaid a while ago in the Street. For Sindbad had heard it himſelf through the Window, before he ſat down at Table, and that occalion’d his calling for him.
Hindbad being ſurpriz’d at the Queſtion, hung down his Head, and reply’d, Seignior, I confeſs that my Wearineſs put me out of Humour, and occaſion’d me to ſpeak ſome indiſcreet Words, which I beg you to pardon. Oh don’t you think I am ſo unjuſt, replies Sindbad, to reſent ſuch a Thing as that; I conſider your Condition, and inſtead of upbraiding you with your Complaints, I am ſorry for you; but I muft rectify your Miſtake concerning my ſelf. You think, ​no doubt, that I have acquir’d without Labour and Trouble, the Eaſe and Conveniency which I now enjoy. But don’t miſtake your ſelf, I did not attain to this happy Condition, without enduring more Trouble of Body and Mind, for ſeveral Years, than can well be imagin’d. Yes Gentlemen, adds he, ſpeaking to the whole Company, I can aſſure you, my Troubles were ſo extraordinary, that they were capable of diſcouraging the moſt covetous Man from undertaking ſuch Voyages as I did to acquire Riches, Perhaps you have never heard a diſtinet Account of the wonderful Adventures and Dangers I met with, in my ſeven Voyages; and ſince have this Opportunity, I am willing to give you a faithful Account of them, not doubting but it will be acceptable.
And becauſe Sindbad was to tell this Story particularly upon the Porter’s Account, he order’d his Burden to be carried to the Place appointed, and began thus.