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The Sultan mov’d with Compaſſion to ſee him in that Condition, pray’d him forthwith to tell him the Cauſe of his exceſfive Grief. Alas! my Lord, replies the young Man, how is it poſſible but I ſhould grieve, and why ſhould not my Eyes be inexhauſtible Fountains of Tears? At theſe words lifting up his Gown, he ſhew’d the Sultan that he was a Man only from the Head to the Girdle, and that the other half of his Body was black MarbleHere Scheherazade broke off, and told the Sultan that Day appeared.
Schahriar was ſo much charm’d with the Story, and became fo much in Love with Scheherazade, that he reſolv’d to let her live a Month. He got up however as uſual, without acquainting her with his Reſolution.
The Twenty Second Night.
DInarzade was ſoimpatient to hear out the Story, that ſhe calfd her Siſter next Morning ſooner than uſual, and ſays to her, Siſter, pray continue the wonderful Story you began, but could not make an end of yeſterday Morning. I agree to it, replies the Sultanefs, hearken then.
You may eaſily imagine, continues ſhe, that the Sultan was ſtrangely ſurpriz’d, when he ſaw the deplorable Condition of the young Man. That which you ſhew me, ſays he; as it fills me with Horror, whets my Curioſity, ſo that I am impatient to hear your Hiſtory, which, no doubt, is very ſtrange, and I am perfuaded that the Pond and the Fiſhes make ſome part of it; therefore I conjure you to tell it me. You will find ſome Comfort in it, ſince, it is certain, that unfortunate People find ſome ſort of caſe in telling their Misfortunes. I will not refuſe you this Satisſaction, replies the young Man, tho’ I can’t do it without renewing my Grief. But I give you notice before-hand, to prepare your Ears, your Mind, and even your Eyes, for Things which ſurpaſs all that the moſt extraordinary Imagination can conceive.
