Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 2.djvu/25

We both of us diſguis’d our ſelves, and went out by a Door of the Garden which open’d into the Field, and ſoon found what we ſought for. I knew the Tomb, and was ſo much the more rejoyc’d at it, becauſe I had formerly ſought it a long time in vain. We enter’d, and found the Iron Trap pull d down upon the Entrance of the Stair-caſe; we had much ado to raiſe it, becauſe the Prince had faſten’d it on the Inſide, with the Water and Morter formerly mention’d; but at laſt we did get it up.

The King, my Uncle, went down firſt, I follow’d, and we went down about fifty Steps. When we came to the Foot of the Stairs, we found a Sort of Anti-chamber, full of a thick Smoak, and ill Scent, which obſcur’d the Lamp that gave a very fine Light.

From this Anti-chamber, we came into another, very large, ſupported by great Columns, and lighted by ſeveral branched Candleſticks, There was a Ciſtern in the Middle, and Proviſions of ſeveral Sorts ſtanding on one Side of it; but we were very much ſurpriz’d to ſee no Body. Before us there appear’d an high Soſa, which we mounted by ſeveral Steps, and over this there appear’d a very large Bed, with the Curtains drawn cloſe. The King went up, and opening the Curtains, perceiv’d the Prince his Son, and the Lady, in Bed together, but burnt and chang’d toa Coal, as if they had been thrown into a great Fire, and taken out again before they were conſum’d.

But that which ſurpriz’d me moſt of all, was, that this Spectacle, which fil’d me with Horror, the King, my Uncle, inſtead of teſtifying his Sorrow to ſee the Prince, his Son, in ſuch a frightful Condition, ſpit on his Face, and ſays to him with an angry Air, This is the Puniſhment of this World, but that of the other will laſt to Eternity; and not content with this, he pull’d off his Sandal, and gave his Son a great Blow on the Cheek with it,

But, Sir, ſays Scheherazade, it is Day, I am ſorry your Majeſty’s Time will not allow you to hear me further: This Hiſtory appearing very ſtrange to the Sultan, he got up and reſolv’d to hear the reſt of it next Night.