’

THE HISTORY OF THE SECOND CALENDER, 53

jacket, and recommended me to some poor people who gained their
bread after the same manner, that they might take me into their
company. They conducted me to the wood, and the first day I brought
in as much upon my head as procured me half a piece of gold of the
money of that country ; for though the wood was not far distant from
the town, yet it was very scarce, by reason that few would be at the
trouble of fetching it for themselves. I gained a good sum of money in
a short time, and repaid my tailor what he had lent me.

I continued this way of living for a whole year. One day, having by
chance penetrated farther into the wood than usual, I happened to
light on a pleasant spot, where I began to cut; and in pulling up the
root of a tree I espied an iron ring, fastened to a trap door of the same
metal. I took away the earth that covered it, and having lifted it up,
discovered a flight of stairs, which I descended with my axe in my
hand.

When I had reached the bottom, I found myself in a palace which
was as well lighted as if it had been above ground in the open air. |
went forward along a gallery, supported by pillars of jasper, the bas¢
and capitals being of massy gold: when I saw a lady of a noble and
graceful air, and extremely beautiful, coming towards me. I hastened
to meet her; and as I was making a low obeisance, she asked me, ‘ Are
you a man or a genie?’ ‘A man, madam,’ said I. ‘By what ad-
venture,’ said she (fetching a deep sigh), ‘ are you come hither? I have
lived here twenty-five years, end you are the first man I have beheld in
that time.’

Her great beauty, and the sweetness and civility wherewith she
received me, emboldened me to say, ‘Madam, before I satisfy your
curiosity, give me leave to say that I am infinitely gratified with this
unexpected meeting, which offers me an occasion of consolation in the
midst of my affliction; and perhaps it may give me an opportunity of
making you also more happy than you are.’ I then related my story
to her from beginning to end. ‘Alas! prince,’ she replied, sighing
‘the most enchanting spots cannot afford delight when we are there
against our wills. But hear now my history. I am a prineess, the
daughter of a sultan, the king of the Ebony Island, to which the
precious wood found in it has given its name.

‘The king, my father, had chosen for my husband a prince who was
my cousin; but on the very night of the bridal festivities, in the midst
of the rejoicings of the court, a genie took me away. I fainted with
alarm, and when I recovered I found myself in this place. I was long
meonsolable; but time and necessity have reconciled me to see the
genie. Twenty-five years I have passed in this place, in which I have
everything necessary for life and splendour.

‘Every ten days,’ continued the princess, ‘the genie visits me. In
the meantime, if I have any occasion for him, I have only to touch a
talisman, and he appears. "It is now four days since he was here, and

have therefore to wait six days more before he again makes his