The grief of the sultan for the loss of his daughter confined him to his chamber for a whole month. Before he had fully recovered his strength, he sent for me and said, “You are the cause of all these misfortunes; depart hence therefore in peace, but without further delay, and take care never to appear again in my dominions on penalty of death.”
I was obliged to quit the palace, again an outcast from the world. Before I left the city, I went into a bagnio, where I caused my beard and eyebrows to be shaved, and put on a calender’s robe. I passed through many countries without making myself known; at last I resolved to visit Bagdad, in hopes of meeting with the Commander of the Faithful, to move his compassion by relating to him my unfortunate adventures. I arrived this evening; and the first man I met was this calender, our brother, who spoke before me. You know the remaining part, madam, and the cause of my having the honor to be here.
When the second calender had concluded his story, Zobeide, to whom he had addressed his speech, said, “It is well; you are at liberty:” but instead of departing he also petitioned the lady to show him the same favor vouchsafed to the first calender, and went and sat down by him.
Then the third calender, knowing it was his turn to speak, addressed himself, like the others, to Zobeide, and began his history as follows:
93
