ES-SINDIBAD OF THE SEA 11

my situation, but in a state of fear and confusion
of mind, and remembered a tale that I had heard
before, the tale of our lord Suleyman the son of
Déood (on both of whom be peace!) respecting
his saying, “Three things are better than three:
the day of death is better than the day of birth;
and a living dog is better than a dead lion; and
the grave is better than the palace.” Then I
arose, and collected what I had, of effects and
apparel, and sold them; after which I sold my
buildings and all that my hand possessed, and
amassed three thousand pieces of silver; and it
occurred to my mind to travel to the countries
of other people; and I remembered one of the
sayings of the poets, which was this :—

In proportion to one’s labour, eminences are gained ; and he
who seeketh eminence passeth sleepless nights.

He diveth in the sea who seeketh for pearls, and succeedeth in
acquiring lordship and good fortune.

Whoso seeketh eminence without labouring for it, loseth his
life in the search of vanity.

Upon this, I resolved, and arose, and bought
for myself goods and commodities and merchan-
' dise, with such other things as were required
for travel; and my mind had consented to my
performing a sea-voyage. So I embarked in a
ship, and it descended to the city of El-Basrah,

with a company of merchants; and’ we traversed