Page:Arabian Nights Entertainments (1728)-Vol. 4.djvu/59

this Viſit was a Motion of Curioſity that did not reſpect me. He had a mind to diſcourſe the Lady about what ſhe had ſeen or heard in the City. So they diſcourſed together a pretty while; and then he left her, and retired to his Apartment.

When ſhe found the Coaſt clear, ſhe came to the Chamber where I was, and made many Apologies for the Alarms ſhe had given me. My Uneaſineſs, ſaid ſhe, was no leſs than yours; you can’t well doubt of that, ſince I have run the ſame riſque out of Love to you; perhaps another Perſon would not have had the Preſence of Mind to mannage Matters ſo dextrouſly, upon ſo tender an Occaſion; nothing leſs than the Love I had for you, could have inſpired me with Courage to do it. But come, take heart, now the Danger is over. After ſome tender Diſcourſe between us, ſhe told me it was time to go to Bed, and that ſhe would not fail to introduce me to Zobeide her Miſtreſs, to Morrow ſome Hour of the Day; for the Califf never ſees her, added ſhe, at Nights. Heartned by theſe Words, I ſlept very well; or at leaſt whatever Interruptions happen’d to my Sleep, were agreeable Diſquietings, cauſed by the Hopes of enjoying a Lady that was bleſt with ſuch ſparkling Wit and Beauty.

The next Day, before I was introduced to Zobeide, her Favourite inſtructed me how to behave before her, naming much the ſame Queſtions as ſhe put to me, and dictating the Anſwers I was to give. This done, ſhe carried me into a very magnificent and richly furniſh’d Hall: I was no ſooner entred than Twenty ſhe Slaves, in rich and uniform Habits, came out of Zobeide’s Apartment, and placed themſelves very modeſtly before the Throne in two equal Rows; they were followed by twenty other Ladies, that looked younger, and were cloathed after the ſame manner, only their Habits appeared ſomewhat gayer. In the middle of theſe appeared Zobeide with a majeſtick Air, and fo loaded with Jewels that ſhe could ſcarce walk. Then Zobeide went and ſat down on the Throne, and the favourite Lady, who had accompanied her, ſtood juſt by her on her Right Hand; the other Ladies being placed at ſome diſtance on each ſide of the Throne.