62 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

serious air which so well suited her, said, “You are welcome,
but, in the first place, do not take it ill, if we ask of you one
favour.” “ What favour,” cried the vizier, “can we refuse to
such beautiful ladies?” “It is,” replied Zobeideé, “to have only
eyes, and no speech ; to forbear from asking questions about
what you may see, in order to learn the cause; and not to speak
about what does not concern you, for fear you should hear what
will not be pleasant to you.” “You shall be obeyed, madam,”
replied the vizier, “for we are neither censurers nor curious
imprudent persons. It is enough for us to attend to our own
business without meddling with what does not regard us.”
After this, each seated himself, and the conversation became
general, and they drank to the health of the new guests.

While the vizier Giafar entertained them, the caliph ceased
not from admiring the extraordinary beauty, the great elegance,
the lively disposition and spirit of the ladies ; while the appear-
ance of the three calenders, all blind of the right eye, surprised
him very much. He anxiously wished to learn the cause of this
singularity, but the conditions they had imposed upon him and
his companions prevented any inquiry. Besides all this, when he
reflected upon the richness of the services and furniture, with
the regularity and arrangement everywhere apparent, he could
hardly persuade himself it was not the effect of enchantment,

The conversation having fallen upon the various sorts of
amusement, and the different modes of enjoying life, the calen-
ders got up and danced in their peculiar way, which much
augmented the good opinion the ladies had already conceived
of them, and attracted also the applause and esteem of the
caliph and his company. As soon as the calenders had finished,
Zobeidé got up, and taking Aminé by the hand, said to her,
“ Come, sister, the company shall not think that we will put
them under any restraint, nor shall their presence prevent us
from doing as we have always been accustomed.” Aminé, who
perfectly understood what her sister meant, got up, and took
away the dishes, tables, bottles, glasses, and also the instru-
ments on which the calenders had played. Nor did Safié
remain idle; she swept the hall, put everything in its proper
place, snuffed the candles, and added more aloe-wood and
ambergris. Having done this, she requested the three calen-
ders to sit on a sofa on one side, and the caliph and his com-