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The Grand Viſier ſaid ſeveral things to divert the Sultan from this Deſign; he repreſented to him the Danger to which he migjt be expos’d, and that all his Labour might perhaps be in vain. But ’twas to no purpoſe, the Sultan was reſolv’d on it, and would go, He put on a Suit fit for walking, and took his Scimiter, and as ſoon as he ſaw that all was quiet in the Camp, he goes out alone, and went over one of the Hills without much Difficulty; he found the Deſcent ftill more eaſy, and when he came to the Plain, walk’d on till the Sun roſe, and then he ſaw before him, at a conſiderable Diſtance, a great Building. He rejoic’d at the Sight, in hopes to be inform’d there, of what he had a mind to know. When he came near, he found it was a magnificent Palace, or rather a very ſtrong Caſtle, of fine black poliſhed Marble, and coverd with fine Steel, as ſmoothas a Looking-glaſs. Being mightily pleas’d that he had ſo ſpeedily met with ſomething worthy his Curioſity, he ſtopp’d before the Front of the Caſtle, and conſider’d it with abundance of Attention.
He afterwards came up to the Gate, which had two Leaves, one of them open; tho’ he might have enter’d when he would, yet he thought, it beſt to knock. He knock’d at firſt ſoftly, and waited for ſome time; but ſeeing no body, and ſuppoſing they had not heard him, he knock’d harder the ſecond time, but neither ſeeing nor hearing any body, he knock’d again and again, but no body appearing, it ſurpriz’d him extreamly; for he could not think, that a Caſtle ſo well in repair, was without Inhabitants. If there be no body in it, ſays he to himſelf, I have nothing to fear, and if there be, I have wherewith to defend my ſelf.
At laſt he enter’d, and when he came within the Porch he cried, is there no body here to receive a Stranger, who comes in for ſome Refreſhment as he paſſes by? He repeated the ſame two or three times; but tho’ he ſpoke very high, no body anſwer’d. This Silence increas’d his Aſtoniſhment; he came into a very ſpacious Court, and looking on every ſide, to ſee if he could perceive any body, he ſaw no living thing But, Sir, ſays Scheherazade, Day appears, and I muſt ſtop.
Ah!
