122 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

trom thence to a third ; but they were both deserted, and a sort
of horrid silence reigned throughout the place. Having ad-
vanced to a fourth court, I saw opposite to me a very beautiful
building, the windows of which were shut with a trellis of mas-
sive gold. I concluded that this was the apartment of the queen.
I passed on, and went into a chamber very richly decorated, in
which I perceived a lady, who was also transformed to stone: I
knew that this was the queen, by a crown of gold which she had
upon her head, and by a necklace of pearls, which were as large
and round as small nuts.

From the chamber-of the petrified queen, I passed on through
many other magnificent apartments, of various descriptions,
amusing myself thus until it was midnight, when I heard a
voice like that of a man who was reading the Koran, in the
same manner, and in a similar tone, as it was the custom to
read it in our temples. This gave me great joy ; I immediately
got up, and taking a torch to light me, I came to the door
of a cabinet, from which I was sure the voice issued. A
young man of a pleasant countenance was seated upon a
carpet, and recited with great attention from the Koran, which
lay before him upon a small desk. The young man, on observ-
ing me, said, “I entreat you, lady, to tell me who you are, and
what has brought you to this desolatetown? I willinform you
in return, who I am, what has happened to me, and for what
reason the inhabitants of this town are reduced to the condition
you have seen ; and how it happens, also, that I alone am safe,
and have escaped so dreadful a disaster.”

I related to him, in a few words, whence I came, what had
induced me to make this voyage, and how I had fortunately
arrived at this port after twenty days’ sail.

“To account for the wonders you see here, madam,” said he,
you must know that this city was the capital of a very powerful
kingdom, of the same name and title as that of the king, my
father. ‘This prince, as well as all his court, the inhabitants of
this city, and also all his other subjects, were of the religion
of Magi, idolaters of fire, and of Nardoun, the ancient king of
the giants, who rebelled against the Prophet.

“ Although both my father and mother were idolaters, I had
in my infancy the good fortune to have a governess, or nurse,
who was of the true religion ; she was thoroughly acquainted