THE HISTORY OF ZOBEIDE. 121

I am, f own, very much astonished at it, after the experience
you have had.”

Everything I said to them was without effect. They had de-
termined, in their own minds, to marry, and they executed their
intentions. At the end, however, of a few months, they’ came
again to me, and expressed a thousand regrets for not having
followed my advice. “ You are, it is true, our youngest sister,”
they said, “but you possess more sense than we do. If you will
once more receive us into your house, and only consider us as
your slaves, we will never again be guilty of such a fault.” “My
dear sisters,’ answered I, “my regard for you is not changed
since last we parted. Return and enjoy with me whatever I
possess.” I embraced them, and we lived together as before.

A year passed, and we continued on the best terms. J deter-
mined now to make a sea voyage, and risk some part of my for-
tune in commercial speculations. With this view I went with
my two sisters to Balsora, where I purchased a vessel ready for
sea, which I loaded with the merchandise I had brought with
me from Bagdad. We set sail, and after twenty days we made
land. The first that appeared was a high mountain, at the foot
of which was a town of considerable magnitude. As the wind
was fresh, we soon arrived in the harbour, where we ces’
anchor. A

I was too impatient to wait till my sisters were ready to ac-
company me: I therefore disembarked by myself, and went
directly to the gate of the town. I observed rather a numerous
guard, but the aspect of allof them was so hideous it frightened me.
I saw, however, they did not stir, and even that their eyes were
motionless. This gave me courage, and on approaching still
nearer to them, I perceived they were all petrified. I then en-
tered the town and passed through several streets, in all of which
I observed men in every attitude, but they were without motion,
and absolutely turned into stone. Having arrived at a large
open place in the middle of the town, I discovered a great gate,
covered with plates of gold, the two folding doors of which were
open. I passed on to a large court, where there were many
people: some seemed in the very act of going out, and others of
entering ; nevertheless, they all remained in the same place since
they also were turned into stone, in the same manner as those
which I had betore seen. I passec on to a second court, and