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the Sultan. The Fiſherman, without ſaying any thing of what the Genie had told him, in order to excuſe himſelf from bringing them that very Day, told the Viſier, he had a great way to go for ’em, but would certainly bring them to-morrow Morning.
Accordingly the Fiſherman went away by Night, and coming to the Pond, threw in his Nets betimes next Morning, took four ſuch Fiſhes as the former, and brought them to the Viſier at the Hour appointed, This Miniſter took ’em himſelf, carried them to the Kitchen, and ſhutting himſelf up all alone with the Cook-maid, ſhe gutted them, and put ’em on the Fire, as ſhe had done the four others the Day before; when they were fryed on the one ſide, and that ſhe turn’d them upon the other, the Kitchen-Wall open’d, and the ſame Lady came in, with the Rod in her Hand, ftruck one of the Fiſhes, ſpoke to it as before, and all Four gave her the ſame Anſwer. But, Sir, ſays Sceherazade, Day appears, which obliges me to break off. What I have told you, is indeed very ſingular, but if I be alive to-morrow, I will tell you other Things, which are yet better worth your hearing. Schahriar, conceiving that the Sequel muſt be very curious, reſoly’d to hear her next Night.
The Twentieth Night.
Next Morning the Sultan prevented Dinarzade, and
ſays to Scheherazade, Madam, I pray you to make an end of the Story of the Fiſherman, I am impatient to hear it. Upon which the Sultaneſs continued it thus.
Sir, after the four Fiſhes had anſwer’d the young Lady, ſhe overturn’d the Frying-pan with her Rod, and retir’d into the ſame Place of the Wall from whence ſhe came out. The Grand Viſer being Witneſs to what paſſed; this is too ſurpriſing and extraordinary, ſays he, to be conceal’d from the Sultan, I will inform him of this Prodigy, which he did accordingly, and gave him a faithful Account of all that happen’d.
