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Being come into a vaſt Square, in the Heart of the City, I perceived a great Gate covered with Plates of Gold, the two Leaves of which ſtood open, and a Curtain of Silk Stuff ſeemed to be drawn before it: I alſo ſaw a Lamp hanging over the Gate. After I had well conſidered the Fabrick, I made no doubt but it was the Palace of the Prince who reigned over that Country: And being very much aſtoniſh’d that I had not met with one living Creature, I went thither in hopes to find ſome; I enter’d the Gate, and was ſtill more ſurprized, when I ſaw none but the Guards in the Porches, all petrified ; ſome ſtanding, ſome fitting, and ſome lying.
I croſſed over a large Court, where I ſaw a ſtately Building juſt before me, the Windows of which were encloſed with Gates of maſſy Gold, I looked upon it to be the Queen’s Apartment, and went into a large Hall, where there ſtood ſeveral black Eunuchs turned into Stone. I went from thence into a Room richly hung and furniſhed, where I perceiv’d a Lady in the ſame manner. I knew it to be the Queen by the Crown of Gold that hung over her Head, and a Necklace of Pearl about her Neck, each of them as big as a Nut; I went up cloſe to her to view it, and never ſaw any thing finer.
I ſtood ſome time and admir’d the Riches and Magnificence of the Room; but above all, the Foot-cloth, the Cuſhions and the Soſa’s, which were all lined with Indian Stuff of Gold, with Pictures of Men and Beaſts in Silver drawn to Admiration.
Scheherazade would have continued longer, but Day-light put a ſtop to her Diſcourſe. The Sultan was mightily pleas’d with the Story: I muſt, ſaid he, as he was getting out of Bed, know what all this wonderful Petrification of Men will at laſt come to.
The Sixty fourth Night.
DInarzade was ſo extreamly pleas’d with the beginning of this Story of Zobeide, that ſhe did not ſail to call to the Sultaneſs before Day: If you be not aſleep, Siſter, pray let us know what Zobeide ſaw more in this ſtrange Palace; Scheherazade anſwered, the Lady continued her Story to the Califf in this manner:
Sir,
