ur shipwreck. I can but faintly
represent to you how my governess, the grand vizier, and all that
attended me, were swallowed up by the sea. The dread I was
seized with did not permit me to observe all the horror of our
condition. I lost my senses; and whether I was thrown upon the
coast upon any part of the wreck, or whether heaven, which
reserved me for other misfortunes, wrought a miracle for my
deliverance, I found myself on shore when my senses returned.

Misfortunes very often make us forget our duty. Instead of
returning thanks to God for so singular a favour shewn me, I only
lifted up my eyes to heaven, to complain because I had been
preserved. I was so far from bewailing the vizier and my
governess, that I envied their fate, and dreadful imaginations by
degrees prevailing over my reason, I resolved to cast myself into
the sea; I was on the point of doing so, when I heard behind me a
great noise of men and horses. I looked about to see what it
might be, and espied several armed horsemen, among whom was one
mounted on an Arabian horse. He had on a garment embroidered
with silver, a girdle set with precious stones, and a crown of
gold on his head. Though his habit had not convinced me that he
was chief of the company, I should have judged it by the air of
grandeur which appeared in his person. He was a young man
extraordinarily well shaped, and perfectly beautiful. Surprised
to see a young lady alone in that place, he sent some of his
officers to ask who I was. I answered only by weeping. The
shore being covered with the wreck of our ship, they concluded
that I was certainly some person who had escaped from the vessel.
This conjecture, and my inconsolable condition, excited the
curiosity of the officers, who began to ask me a thousand
questions, with assurances, that their master was a generous
prince, and that I should receive protection at his court.

The sultan, impatient to know who I was, grew weary of waiting
the return of his officers, and drew near to me. He gazed on me
very earnestly, and observing that I did not cease weeping and
afflicting myself, without being able to return an answer to
their questions, he forbad them troubling me any more; and
directing his discourse to me, "Madam," said he, "I conjure you
to moderate your excessive affliction. Though heaven in its
dispensations has laid this calamity upon you, it does not behove
you to despair. I beseech you shew more resolution.