mountain, for that we have never till now known any make his way thence to us.’  But I said to them, ’Give me somewhat to eat and after question me.’  So they brought me food and I ate and my spirits revived and I was refreshed.  Then I related to them all that had befallen me, whereat they were amazed and confounded and said, ’By Allah, this is none other than a marvellous story, and needs must we carry thee to our king, that thou mayst acquaint him therewith.’  So they carried me before their king, and I kissed his hand and saluted him.

Now he was the king of the land of Serendib,[FN#207] and he welcomed me and entreated me with kindness, bidding me be seated and admitting me to his table and converse.  So I talked with him and called down blessings upon him and he took pleasure in my discourse and showed me satisfaction and said to me, ‘What is thy name?’ ‘O my lord,’ answered I, ’my name is Sindbad the Sailor;’ and he said, ‘And what countryman art thou?’ Quoth I, ‘I am of Baghdad.’  ’And how earnest thou hither?’ asked he.  So I told him my story and he marvelled mightily thereat and said, ’By Allah, O Sindbad, this thy story is marvellous and it behoveth that it be written in characters of gold.’

Then they brought the raft before him and I said to him, ’O my lord, I am in thy hands, I and all my good.’  He looked at the raft and seeing therein jacinths and emeralds and crude ambergris, the like whereof was not in his treasuries, marvelled and was amazed at this.  Then said he, ’O Sindbad, God forbid that we should covet that which God the Most High hath vouchsafed unto thee!  Nay, it behoveth us rather to further thee on thy return to thine own country.’  So I called down blessings on him and thanked him.  Then he signed to one of his attendants, who took me and established me in a goodly lodging, and the king assigned me a daily allowance and pages to wait on me.  And every day I used to go in to him and he entertained me and entreated me friendly and delighted in my converse; and as often as our assembly broke up, I went out and walked about the town and the island, diverting myself by viewing them.

Now this island is under the Equinoctial line; its night is still twelve hours and its day the like.  Its length is fourscore parasangs and its breadth thirty, and it is a great island, stretching between a lofty mountain and a deep valley.  This mountain is visible at a distance of three days’ journey and therein are various kinds of jacinths and other precious stones and metals of all kinds and all manner spice-trees, and its soil is of emery, wherewith jewels are wrought.  In its streams are diamonds, and pearls are in its rivers.[FN#208] I ascended to its summit and diverted myself by viewing all the marvels therein, which are such as beggar description; after which I returned to the king and sought of him permission to return to my own country.  He gave me leave, after great pressure, and bestowed on me abundant largesse from his treasuries.  Moreover, he gave me a present and a sealed letter and said to me, ’Carry this to the Khalif Haroun er Reshid and salute him for us with abundant salutation.’  And I said, ‘I hear and obey.’