204. | The Story of

prehend how it was possible that an ape should understand so well
how to pay the sultan his due respect; and he himself was more
astenished than any one. In short, the usual ceremony of the
audience would have been complete could I have added speech to
my behaviour: but apes never speak, and the advantage I had of
having been a man did not allow me that privilege.

The sultan dismissed his courtiers, and none remained by him but
‘the chief of the chamberlains, a young slave, and myself. He went
from his chamber of audience into his own apartment, wheré he
ordered dinner to be brought. As he sat at table he gave me a sign
to come near and eat with them: to show my obedience I kissed
the ground, stood up, sat down at table, and ate with discretion
and moderation.

Before the table was uncovered, I espied a writing-desk, which I
“made a sign should be brought me: having got it, I wrote upon a_
large peach some-verses after my way, which testified my acknow-
ledgment to the sultan, which increased his astonishment. When the
table was uncovered, they brought him a particular liquor, of which
he caused them to give me a glass. [I drank, and wrote upon it some
new verses, which explained the state I was reduced to after many
sufferings. The sultan read them ‘likewise, and said, ‘A man that
was capable of doing so much would be above the greatest, of men.’

The sultan caused them to bring in a chess-board, and asked me,
by a sign, if I understood the game, and would play with him. I
kissed the ground, and laying my hand upon my head, signified that
I was ready to receive that honour. He won the first game, but I
won the second and third; and perceiving he was somewhat dis-
pleased at it, I made a poem to pacify him; in which I told him that
two potent armies had been fighting fusigusly all day, but that they
made.up.a peace towards the evening, and passed the remaining part
of the night very peaceably together upon the field of battle.

-So many circumstances appearing to the sultan far beyond what- .