On the road I caused my beard and eye-brows to be shaven, and assumed a calender’s habit.  I have had a long journey, but at last I arrived this evening, and met these my brother calenders at the gate, being strangers as well as myself.  We were mutually surprised at one another, to see that we were all blind of the same eye; but we had not leisure to converse long on the subject of our misfortunes.  We have only had time enough to bring us hither, to implore those favours which you have been generously pleased to grant us.

The third calender having finished this relation of his adventures, Zobeide addressed him and his fellow calenders thus:  “Go wherever you think proper, you are at liberty.”  But one of them answered, “Madam, we beg you to pardon our curiosity, and permit us to hear the stories of those gentlemen who have not yet spoken.”  Then the lady turned to the caliph, the vizier Jaaffier, and Mesrour, and said to them, “It is now your turn to relate your adventures, therefore speak.”

The grand vizier who had all along been the spokesman, answered Zobeide:  “Madam, in order to obey you, we need only repeat what we have already said.  We are merchants of Moussol come to Bagdad to sell our merchandize, which lies in the khan where we lodge.  We dined today with several other persons of our condition, at a merchant’s house of this city; who, after he had treated us with choice dainties and excellent wines, sent for men and women dancers, and musicians.  The great noise we made brought in the watch, who arrested some of the company, and we had the good fortune to escape:  but it being already late, and the door of our khan shut up, we knew not whither to retire.  We chanced as we passed along this street to hear mirth at your house, which made us determine to knock at your gate.  This is all the account that we can give you, in obedience to your commands.”

Zobeide having heard this statement, seemed to hesitate what to say, which the calenders perceiving, prayed her to grant the same favour to the three Moussol merchants as she had done to them.  “Well then,” said she, “you shall all be equally obliged to me; I pardon you all, provided you immediately depart.”

Zobeide having given this command in a tone that signified she would be obeyed, the caliph, the vizier Mesrour, the three calenders, and the porter departed, without saying one word:  for the presence of the seven slaves with their weapons awed them into silence.  As soon as they had quitted the house, and the gate was closed after them, the caliph said to the calenders, without making himself known, “You gentlemen, who are newly come to town, which way do you design to go, since it is not yet day?” “It is this,” they replied, “that perplexes us.”  “Follow us,” resumed the caliph, “and we will convey you out of danger.”  He then whispered to the vizier, “Take them along with you, and tomorrow morning bring them to me; I will cause their history to be put in writing, for it deserves a place in the annals of my reign.”