friends and kinsfolk came to greet me. Then I bought me eunuchs
and concubines, servants and negro slaves till I had a large
establishment, and I bought me houses, and lands and gardens,
till I was richer and in better case than before, and returned to
enjoy the society of my friends and familiars more assiduously
than ever, forgetting all I had suffered of fatigue and hardship
and strangerhood and every peril of travel; and I applied myself
to all manner joys and solaces and delights, eating the dantiest
viands and drinking the deliciousest wines; and my wealth allowed
this state of things to endure. "This, then, is the story of my
first voyage, and to-morrow, Inshallah! I will tell you the tale
of the second of my seven voyages." (Saith he who telleth the
tale), Then Sindbad the Seaman made Sindbad the Landsman sup with
him and bade give him an hundred gold pieces, saying, "Thou hast
cheered us with thy company this day."[FN#19] The Porter thanked
him and, taking the gift, went his way, pondering that which he
had heard and marvelling mightily at what things betide mankind.
He passed the night in his own place and with early morning
repaired to the abode of Sindbad the Seaman, who received him
with honour and seated him by his side. As soon as the rest of
the company was assembled, he set meat and drink before them and,
when they had well eaten and drunken and were merry and in
cheerful case, he took up his discourse and recounted to them in
these words the narrative of



The Second Voyage of Sindbad the Seaman.