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

SIR, Your Majeſty may eaſily imagine, that poor Hindbad was not a little ſurpriz’d at this Compliment; for, conſidering what he had ſaid, he was afraid Sindbad had ſent for him to puniſh him: Therefore he would have excus’d himſelf; alledging, That he could not leave his Burden in the middle of the Street. But Sindbad’s Servants aſſur’d him they would look to’t, and preſs’d the Porter ſo, that he was oblig’d to yield.

The Servants brought him into a great Hall, where Abundance of People ſat round a Table, cover’d with all ſorts of fine Diſhes. Ar the upper end there ſat a grave, comely, venerable Gentleman, with a long white Beard, and behind him ſtood a number of Officers and Domeſticks, all ready to ſerve him. This grave Gentleman was Sindbad. The Porter, whoſe Fear was encreaſed at the Sight of ſo many People, and of a Banquet ſo ſumptuous, ſaluted the Company, trembling. Sindbad bid him draw near, and ſetting him down at his Right-hand, ſerv’d him himſelf, and gave him exce’lent Wine, of which there was good Store upon the Side-Board.

When Dinner was over, Sindbad began his Diſcourſe to Hindbad; and calling him Brother according to the manner of Arabians when they are familiar one with another, he ask’d him his Name and Employment. Seignior, anſwer’d he, my Name is Hindbad. I am very glad to ſee you, replies Sindbad, and I dare ſay the ſame for all the Company: But I would be glad to hear from your own Mouth, what it is you ſaid a while ago in the Street. For Sindbad had heard it himſelf through the Window, before he ſat down at Table, and that occaſion’d his calling for him.