Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 3.djvu/27

The Iſland was very well peopled, plentiful of every thing, and the Capital was a Place of great Trade. This agreeable Place of Retreat was very comfortable to me after my Misfortune and the Kindneſs of this generous Prince towards me compleated my Satisfaction. In a Word, there was not a Perſon more in Favour with him than my ſelf, and by Conſequence every Man in Court and City ſought how to oblige me, ſo that in a very little time I was looked upon rather as a Native than a Stranger.

I obſerved one thing which to me look’d very extraordinary, all the People, the King himſelf not excepted, rode their Horſes without Bridle or Stirrups. This made me one Day take the liberty to ask the King how that came to paſs? His Majeſty anſwered, That I talked to him of Things which no, body knew the Uſe of in his Dominions.

I went immediately to a Workman, and gave him a Model for making the ſtock of a Saddle. When that was done, I covered it my ſelf with _____ and Leather, and embroidercd it with Gold. I afterwards went to a Lock-fmith, who made me a _____ according to the Pattern I ſhewed him, and then he made me alſo ſome Stirrups. When I had all Things compleated, I preſented them to the King, and put them upon one of his Horſes. His Majeſty mounted immediately, and was ſo mightily pleaſed with them, that he teſtified his ſatisfaction by large Preſents to me. I could not avoid making ſeveral others for his Miniſters and principal Officers of his Houſhold, who all of them made me Preſents that enriched me in a little time. I alſo made for the People of beſt Quality in the City, which gained me great Reputation and Regard from every Body.

As I made my Court very exactly to the King, he ſays to me one Day, Sinbad, I love thee, and all my Subjects who know thee treat thee according to my Example. I have one thing to demand of thee, which thou muſt grant. Sir, anſwer’d I, there’s nothing but what I will do, as a Mark of my Obedience to your Majeſty, whoſe Power over me is abſolute. I have a mind thou ſhouldſt marry, replies he, that ſo thou mayſt ſtay in my Dominions and think no more of thy own Country, I dared not reſiſt the Prince’s Will, and fo he gave me of the Ladies of his