4 THE STORY OF ES-SINDIBAD OF THE SEA

“How many wretched persons are destitute of ease! and how

many are in luxury, reposing in the shade !

I find myself afflicted by trouble beyond measure ; and strange
is my condition, and heavy is my load!

Others are in prosperity, and from wretchedness are free, and
never for a single day have borne a load like mine ;

Incessantly and amply blest, throughout the course of life,
with happiness and grandeur, as well as drink and meat.

All men whom God hath made are in origin alike; and I
resemble this man, and he resembleth me ;

But otherwise, between us is a difference as great as mee differ-
ence that we find between wine and vinegar.

Yet in saying this, I utter no falsehood against Thee,[O my Lord]
for Thou art wise, and with justice Thou hast judged.”

And when Es-Sindibéd the Porter had finished
the recitation of his verses, he desired to take up
his burden and to depart. But, lo, there came
forth .to him from that door a young page,
handsome in countenance, comely in stature,
magnificent in apparel; and he laid hold upon
the porter’s hand, saying to him, ‘“‘ Enter: answer
the summons of my master; for he calleth for
thee.” And the porter would have refused to
enter with the page; but he could not. He
therefore deposited his burden with the door-
keeper in the entrance-passage, and, entering
the house with the page, he found it to be a
handsome mansion, presenting an appearance of
joy and majesty. And he looked towards a grand
chamber, in which he beheld noblemen and great
lords ; and in it were all kinds of flowers, and all