The sultan dismissed his courtiers, and went from his chamber of audience into his own apartment, where he ordered dinner to be brought. As he sat at table, he made me a sign to approach and eat with him; to show my obedience, I kissed the ground, arose, placed myself at the table, and ate.
Before the table was cleared, I espied a fruit stand which I made a sign to have brought me; having got it, I wrote upon a large peach some verses expressive of my acknowledgment to the sultan; who, having read them, after I had presented the peach to him, was still more astonished. When the table was cleared they brought him a particular wine of which he caused them to give me a glass. I drank, and wrote upon the glass some new verses, which explained the state of happiness I was now in, after many sufferings. The sultan read these likewise, and said, “A man capable of composing such poetry would rank among the greatest.”
The sultan commanded the attendants to bring him a chess-board, and asked me by a sign if I understood that game, and would play with him. I kissed the ground; and laying my hand upon my head, signified that I was ready to play. He won the first game; but I won the second and third.
So many circumstances appearing to the sultan beyond what had ever either been seen or known of apes, he determined not to be the only witness of these prodigies himself, but having a daughter, called the Lady of Beauty, sent for her, that she should share his pleasure.
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