5
inquired his name and occupation. “My name, Signior,”
said he, “is Hindbad, and I am nothing but a poor porter.”
“Well, Hindbad,” rejoined the master of the house, “I and
my friends here are very glad to see you; but I sent for you
on account of some words I heard you utter.”
“Alas ! Signior,” exclaimed Hindbad, rising from his chair,
and blushing exceedingly, “I confess that my weariness and
the heat of the day put me out of humour, and made me speak
many indiscreet things, which I beg you to pardon.”
“My good friend,” replied Sindbad, “I am not so unjust
as to be offended with you; on the contrary, I pity your condition;
and when I commanded you to be brought hither, it was
that I might convince you I did not attain to this happy condition
without enduring more sufferings, and encountering
greater dangers, than can well be imagined. Yes, gentlemen,”
he added, looking round the table upon his guests, “I assure
you my difficulties were so extraordinary, that they were sufficient
to discourage the most covetous man from running the
same perils in pursuit of riches; and to convince you of the
truth of what I assert, I will, if you are disposed to hear me,
relate the history of the extraordinary adventures I met with
in the course of my Seven Voyages.”
This proposal was highly acceptable to the whole company;
and Sindbad having ordered a servant to carry Hindbad’s load
to the appointed place, commenced his narration as follows :—
THE FIRST VOYAGE OF SINDBAD.
My father dying while I was very young, and leaving me a considerable fortune, I fell into a course of dissipation that injured my health and destroyed my fortune. Having no parent to control me, and being surrounded only by profligate persons, I continued my excesses till I fell into a fit of sickness. My riotous companions then forsook me, and I was left alone to struggle with my diseases, and to endure the severity of remorse for mis-spent youth. At length I recovered from my illness; and resolving never to return to my former course of living, I collected together the remains of my fortune, and embarked with several merchants on board a ship, which we had jointly laden with merchandise, for the port of Balsora. One day we were becalmed near a small island almost level with the surface of the water, and which resembled a beautiful green meadow. The captain ordered his sails to be furled, and the merchants, among whom was myself, with several officers of the ship, determind to carry our provisions, and dine upon the pleasant little island. While we were in the very midst of