180 KK | : The Story of Zobeide

 

it; I-also saw a lamp banging over the gate. After I had well con-
sidered, I made no doubt but that it was the palace of the prince
who reigned over that country; and being very much astonished that
I had not met with one living creature, I went thither in hopes
to find some one. I entered the gate, and was still more surprised
when I saw none but the guards in the porches, all petrified, some
standing, some sitting, and some lying. :

I crossed over a large ccurt where I saw a stately building
just before me, the windows of which were enclosed with gates
of massive gold: I supposed it to be the queen’s apartment,
and went into a large hall, where there stood several black chamber-
lains turned into stone. I went from thence into a room richly hung
and furnished, where 1 perceived a lady. I knew it to be the queen
by the crown of gold that hung over her head, and a necklace of
pearls about: her neck, each of them as big as a nut; I went up
close to her to view it, and never beheld a finer sight.

I stood some time and admired the riches and magnificence
of the room; but above all, the footcloth, the cushions and the
sofas, which were all lined with Indian stuff or gold, with pictures
of men and beasts in silver admirably executed.

I went out of the chamber where the petrified queen was,
and passed through several other apartments richly furnished,
and at last came into a vast room, where was a throne of: massive
. gold, raised several “steps above the floor and enriched with large
emeralds, and a bed upon the throne of rich stuff embroidered:
with. pearls. What surprised me more than all the rest was a
sparkling light which came from above the bed. . Being curious
to know from whence it. came, I ‘mounted the steps, and lifting
up my head, I saw a diamond, as big as the egg of an ostrich,.
ying upon a low. stool; it was so pure that I- could not find. the
least blemish in it, and it sparkled so brightly that I could not —
endure the lustre of it when I saw it by daylight. a