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which had a view over the Garden, and there reflecting upon what he had already ſeen, and did then ſee, all of a ſudden he heard the Voice of one complaining, accompanied with lamentable Cries. He liften’d with Attention, and heard diſtinctly theſe ſad Wodrs; O Fortune! thou who wouldſt not ſuffer me longer to enjoy a hapyy Lot, and had made me the moſt unfortuuate Man in the World, forbear to perſecute me, and by a ſpeedy Death, put an end to my Sorrows. Alas! is it poſſible that I am ſtill alivs after fo many Torments as I have ſuffered?
The Sultan being affected withthoſe pitiful Complaints, roſe up, and made towards the Place where he heard the Voice; and when he came to the Gate of a great Hall, he opened it, and ſaw a handſome young Man, richly habited, ſat upon a Throne rais’d alittle above the Ground. Melancholy was painted on his Looks. The Sultan drew near and ſaluted him; the young Man returned him his Salute, by a low bow with his Head; but not being able to riſe up, he ſays to the Sultan; My Lord, I am very well ſatisfied that you deſerve I ſhould riſe up to receive you, and do you all poſſible Honour; but I am hinder’d from doing ſo, by a very ſad Reaſon, and therefore hope you will not take it ill. My Lord, replies the Sultan, I am very much oblig’d to you for having ſo good an Opinion of me: As to the Reaſon of your not riſing, whatever your Apology be, I heartily accept it. Being drawn hither by your Complaints, and afflicted by your Grief, I come to offer you my help. Would to God that it lay in my power to eaſe you of your Troubles; I would do my utmoſt to effect it. I flatter my ſelf that you would willingly tell me the Hiſtory of your Miſfortunes; but pray tell me firſt, the meaning of the Pond near this Place, where the Fiſhes are of four Colours? What this Caſtle is? How you come to be here? And why you are alone?
Inſtead of anſwering theſe Queſtions, the young Man began to weep bitterly. O how inconſtant is Fortune! cried he, ſhe takes pleaſure to pull down thoſe Men ſhe had raiſed up. Where are they who enjoy quietly the Happineſs which they hold of her, and whoſe Day is always clear and ſerene?
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