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must die, must die.’ And the officer before replies, ‘Praise alone be to Him who liveth for ever and ever.’ ”

The caliph was much pleased with my account, and sent me home with a rich present.

Here Sindbad commanded another hundred sequins to be paid to Hindbad, and begged his return on the morrow to hear his seventh and last voyage.

“There is still one more voyage of Sindbad’s to narrate to your highness,” said Scheherazade, at this point. “Do you desire that I shall do so to-morrow?”

And on the following night she continued her tale as follows:

 

The Seventh and Last Voyage of
Sindbad the Sailor

On my return home from my sixth voyage, I entirely gave up all thoughts of again going to sea; for, besides that my age now required rest, I was resolved no more to expose myself to such risks as I had encountered. One day, however, an officer of the caliph’s inquired for me. “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.

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