DInarzade did not fail about the latter end of the next Night to addreſs the Sultaneſs thus: If you be nor alſeep, Siſter, pray relate to us the following part of the
wonderful Story of the third Ca!lender: Very willingly, ſaid Scheherazade. That Prince continued it thus: I was
ſcarced dreſs’d next Morning, till the other 39 Ladies came into my Chamber all in other Dreſſes than they had the Day before: They bid me Good-morrow, and enquir’d into my Health; after which they carried me to a Bagnio, where they waſh’d me themſelves, and whether I would or no, ſerv’d me in every thing I ſtood in need of; and when I came out of the Bath, they made me put on another Sute much richer than the Former.
We paſt the whole Day almoſt conſtantly at Table; and when it was Bed-time, they pray’d me again to make choice of one of them to keep me company. In ſhort, Madam, not to weary you with Repetitions, I muſt tell you, that I continu’d a whole Year among thoſe 40 Ladies, and receiv’d them into my Bed one after another; and during all the Time of this voluptuous Life, we met not with the leaſt Kind of Trouble. When the Year was expir’d, I was ſtrangely ſurpriz’d at thoſe 40 Ladies, inſtead of appearing with their uſual Cheerfulneſs, to ask how I did, enterd one Morning into my Chamber all in Tears: They embrac’d me with great Tendernef, one after another, ſaying, Adieu, dear Prince, adieu, for we muſt leave you. Their Tears affected me, I pray’d them to tell me the Reaſon of their Grief, and of the Separation they ſpoke of. For God’s Sake, ſair Ladies, let me know, ſaid I, if it be in my Power to comfort you, or if my Aſſiſtance can be any way uſeful to you. Inſtead of returning a direct Anſwer, wou’d to God, ſaid they, we had never ſeen or known you. Several Gentlemen have honour’d us with their Company before you; but never one of them had that Comelinefs, that Sweetneſs, that Pleaſantneſs of Humour and Merit which you have; we know not how to live without you. After they had ſpoke theſe Words, they began to weep bitterly. My dear Ladies, ſaid I, be ſo kind as not to keep me in ſuſpence
