ttern I showed him, and also some
stirrups. When I had all things completed, I presented them to the king,
and put them upon one of his horses. His Majesty mounted immediately,
and was so pleased with them, that he testified his satisfaction by
large presents.

"As I paid my court very constantly to the king, he said to me one day:
'Sinbad, I love thee and I have one thing to demand of thee, which thou
must grant.' 'Sir,' answered I, 'there is nothing but I will do, as a
mark of my obedience to your Majesty.' 'I have a mind thou shouldst
marry,' replied he, 'that so thou mayest stay in my dominions, and think
no more of thy own country.' I durst not resist the prince's will, and
he gave me one of the ladies of his court, noble, beautiful, and rich.
The ceremonies of marriage being over, I went and dwelt with my wife,
and for some time we lived together in perfect harmony. I was not,
however, satisfied with my banishment, therefore designed to make my
escape the first opportunity, and to return to Bagdad.

"At this time the wife of one of my neighbours fell sick, and died. I
went to see and comfort him in his affliction, and finding him absorbed
in sorrow, I said to him as soon as I saw him: 'God preserve you and
grant you a long life.' 'Alas!' replied he, 'how do you think I should
obtain the favour you wish me? I have not above an hour to live.'
'Pray,' said I, 'do not entertain such a melancholy thought; I hope I
shall enjoy your company many years.' 'I wish you,' he replied, 'a long
life; but my days are at an end, for I must be buried this day with my
wife. This is a law which our ancestors established in this island, and
it is always observed. The living husband is interred with the dead
wife, and the living wife with the dead husband. Nothing can save me;
every one must submit to this law.'

"While he was giving me an account of this barbarous custom, the very
relation of which chilled my blood, his kindred, friends, and neighbours
came in a body to assist at the funeral. They dressed the corpse of the
woman in her richest apparel, and all her jewels, as if it had been her
wedding day; then they placed her in an open coffin, and began their
march to the place of burial, the husband walking at the head of the
company. They proceeded to a high mountain, and when they had reached
the place of their destination, they took up a large stone, which
covered the mouth of a deep pit, and let down the corpse with all its