I avoided
the towns till I arrived in the empire of the commander of the
faithful, the renowned caliph Haroun al Raschid, when I ceased to
fear. I resolved to come to Bagdad and throw myself at the feet of
this great monarch. I shall move him to compassion, said I to myself,
by the relation of my uncommon misfortunes, and without doubt he will
take pity on a persecuted prince, and not suffer me to implore his
assistance in vain.
In short, after a journey of several months, I arrived to-day at the
gate of this city, into which I entered at dusk: and as I entered,
another calender came up. He saluted me, and I him.
"You appear," said I, "to be a stranger, as I am."
"You are not mistaken," replied he.
He had no sooner returned this answer, than a third calender overtook
us. He saluted us, and told us he was a stranger newly come to Bagdad;
so that as brethren we joined together, resolving not to separate from
one another.
It was now late, and we knew not where to seek a lodging in the city,
where we had never been before. But good fortune having brought us to
your gate, we made bold to knock, when you received us with so much
kindness that we are incapable of rendering suitable thanks. This,
madam, is, in obedience to your commands, the account I was to give
how I lost my right eye, wherefore my beard and eyebrows are shaved,
and how I came to be with you at this time.
* * * * *
"It is enough," said Zobeide; "you may retire to what place you think
fit.
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