Very soon he decided that he could
not have chosen a pleasanter place; a delicious perfume of aloes-wood
and pastilles came from the open windows and mingled with the scent of
the rose-water which steamed up from the hot pavement. Within the palace
he heard some music, as of many instruments cunningly played, and the
melodious warble of nightingales and other birds, and by this, and the
appetizing smell of many dainty dishes of which he presently became
aware, he judged that feasting and merry-making were going on. He
wondered who lived in this magnificent house which he had never seen
before, the street in which it stood being one which he seldom had
occasion to pass. To satisfy his curiosity he went up to some splendidly
dressed servants who stood at the door, and asked one of them the name
of the master of the mansion.

"What," replied he, "do you live in Bagdad, and not know that here lives
the noble Sindbad the Sailor, that famous traveller who sailed over
every sea upon which the sun shines?"

The porter, who had often heard people speak of the immense wealth of
Sindbad, could not help feeling envious of one whose lot seemed to be as
happy as his own was miserable. Casting his eyes up to the sky he
exclaimed aloud:--

"Consider, Mighty Creator of all things, the difference between
Sindbad's life and mine. Every day I suffer a thousand hardships and
misfortunes, and have hard work to get even enough bad barley bread to
keep myself and my family alive, while the lucky Sindbad spends money
right and left and lives upon the fat of the land! What has he done that
you should give him this pleasant life--what have I done to deserve so
hard a fate?"

So saying he stamped upon the ground like one beside himself with misery
and despair. Just at this moment a servant came out of the palace, and
taking him by the arm said, "Come with me, the noble Sindbad, my master,
wishes to speak to you."

Hindbad was not a little surprised at this summons, and feared that his
unguarded words might have drawn upon him the displeasure of Sindbad, so
he tried to excuse himself upon the pretext that he could not leave the
burden which had been intrusted to him in the street. However the lackey
promised him that it should be taken care of, and urged him to obey the
call so pressingly that at last the porter was obliged to yield.

He followed the servant into a vast room, where a great company was
seated round a table covered with all s