t out in company with a large caravan of
merchants. I was a long time on the way, and suffered much, but endured
all with patience, when I considered that I had nothing to fear from the
seas, from pirates, from serpents, or from the other perils to which I
had been exposed.

"All these fatigues ended at last, and I arrived safe at Bagdad. I went
immediately to wait upon the caliph, and gave him an account of my
embassy. That prince said he had been uneasy as I was so long in
returning, but that he always hoped God would preserve me. When I told
him the adventure of the elephants, he seemed much surprised, and would
never have given any credit to it had he not known my veracity. He
deemed this story, and the other relations I had given him, to be so
curious, that he ordered one of his secretaries to write them in
characters of gold, and lay them up in his treasury. I retired well
satisfied with the honours I received, and the presents which he gave
me; and ever since I have devoted myself wholly to my family, kindred
and friends."

Sinbad here finished the relation of his seventh and last voyage, and
then, addressing himself to Hindbad, "Well, friend," said he, "did you
ever hear of any person that suffered so much as I have done, or of any
mortal that has gone through so many vicissitudes? Is it not reasonable
that, after all this, I should enjoy a quiet and pleasant life?" As he
said this, Hindbad drew near to him, and kissing his hand, said, "I must
acknowledge sir, that you have gone through many imminent dangers; my
troubles are not comparable to yours; if they afflict me for a time, I
comfort myself with the thoughts of the profit I get by them. You not
only deserve a quiet life, but are worthy of all the riches you enjoy,
because you make of them such a good and generous use. May you therefore
continue to live in happiness till the day of your death!" Sinbad then
gave him one hundred sequins more, received him into the number of his
friends and desired him to quit his porter's employment, and come and
dine every day with him, that he might have ample reason to remember
Sinbad the voyager and his adventures.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Arabian Nights, by Unknown

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