possess them], then lock up all these articles in a room, and put your
seal on the door, and you may hereafter dispose of them as you please."

I would not accept [his offer], and he would not submit [to me]. At
last, this plan was adopted, I locked them all up in a room, and
put my seal on the door, and waited [with impatience] for leave
of departing. In the meantime a confidential eunuch, having on his
head an aigrette, and a short robe round his loins, and a golden mace
studded with gems in his hand, accompanied by several other respectable
attendants, filling [various] offices, came near me with this splendour
and pomp. He addressed me with such kindness and complaisance that
I cannot express it, and added, "O, sir, if shewing kindness and
benevolence, you do me the favour to dignify my humble dwelling with
your presence, then it will not be far from courtesy and condescension.

Perhaps the princess will hear that a traveller had been here, and no
one had received him with courtesy and politeness; and that he had
gone away as he came; for this reason God knows what punishment she
will inflict on me, or how far her displeasure will be raised; yea
more, it is a matter affecting my life," I refused to listen to his
request, but through dint of solicitations he overcame my resistance,
and conducted me to another house, which was better than the first
Like the former host, he entertained me twice a day for three days and
nights, with the same kind of meals, and in the morning and afternoon
sherbet, and fruits for passing away the time, and he told me that I
was the master of all the rich gold and silver dishes, carpets, &c,
and that I might do with them whatever I pleased.

On hearing these strange proposals, I was quite confounded, and
wished that I might by some means take my leave and escape from this