> THE STORY OF ES-SINDIBAD OF THE SEA

the air was temperate; and by the side of the
door was a wide mastabah. The porter there-
fore put down his burden upon that mastabah,
to rest himself, and to scent the air; and when
he had done so, there came forth upon him,
from the door, a pleasant, gentle gale, and an
exquisite odour, wherewith the porter was de-
lighted. He seated himself upon the edge of
the mastabah, and heard in that place the melo-
dious sounds of stringed instruments, with the
lute among them, and mirth-exciting voices, and
varieties of distinct recitations. He heard also
the voices of birds, warbling, and praising God
(whose name be exalted!) with diverse tones and
with all dialects; consisting of turtle-doves and
hezdrs and blackbirds and nightingales and ring-
doves and keerawdns; whereupon he wondered
in his mind, and was moved with great delight.
He then advanced to that door, and found within
the house a great garden, wherein he beheld
pages and slaves and servants and other de-
pendants, and such things as existed not else-
where save in the abodes of Kings and Sultans;
and after that, there blew upon him the odour
of delicious, exquisite viands, of all different
kinds, and of delicious wine.

Upon this he raised his eyes towards heaven,