You may judge how uneasy I felt all this time.  I wished a thousand times to break the silence which had been imposed upon me, and ask questions; nor was it possible for me to sleep that night.

The next day, soon after we had arisen, we went out to walk, and then I said to them, “Gentlemen, I declare to you, that I must renounce the law which you prescribed to me last night, for I cannot observe it.  You are men of sense, you have convinced me that you do not want understanding; yet, I have seen you do such actions as none but madmen could be capable of.  Whatever misfortune befalls me, I cannot forbear asking, why you bedaubed your faces with black?  How it has happened that each of you has but one eye?  Some singular circumstance must certainly be the cause; therefore I conjure you to satisfy my curiosity.”  To these pressing instances they answered only, that it was no business of mine to make such inquiries, and that I should do well to hold my peace.

We passed that day in conversation upon indifferent subjects; and when night was come and every man had supped, the old man brought in the blue basins, and the young gentlemen as before bedaubed their faces, wept and beat themselves, crying, “This is the fruit of our idleness and debauches,” and continued the same actions the following night.  At last, not being able to resist my curiosity, I earnestly prayed them to satisfy me, or to shew me how to return to my own kingdom; for it was impossible for me to keep them company any longer, and to see every night such an odd exhibition, without being permitted to know the reason.

One of the gentlemen answered on behalf of the rest, “Do not wonder at our conduit in regard to yourself, and that hitherto we have not granted your request:  it is out of kindness, to save you the pain of being reduced to the same condition with ourselves.  If you have a mind to try our unfortunate destiny, you need but speak, and we will give you the satisfaction you desire.”  I told them I was resolved on it, let what would be the consequence.  “Once more,” said the same gentleman, “we advise you to restrain your curiosity:  it will cost you the loss of your right eye.”  “No matter,” I replied; “be assured that if such a misfortune befall me, I will not impute it to you, but to myself.”

He farther represented to me, that when I had lost an eye I must not hope to remain with them, if I were so disposed, because their number was complete, and no addition could be made to it.  I told them, that it would be a great satisfaction to me never to part from such agreeable gentlemen, but if there were a necessity for it, I was ready to submit; and let it cost me what it would, I begged them to grant my request.