sand diamond crowns, to the Caliph Harun-al-Rashid sends greeting.
Though the offering we present to you is unworthy of your notice, we
pray you to accept it as a mark of the esteem and friendship which we
cherish for you, and of which we gladly send you this token, and we ask
of you a like regard if you deem us worthy of it. Adieu, brother."

The present consisted of a vase carved from a single ruby, six inches
high and as thick as my finger; this was filled with the choicest
pearls, large, and of perfect shape and lustre; secondly, a huge
snake-skin, with scales as large as a sequin, which would preserve from
sickness those who slept upon it. Then quantities of aloes-wood,
camphor, and pistachio-nuts; and lastly, a beautiful slave-girl, whose
robes glittered with precious stones.

After a long and prosperous voyage we landed at Balsora, and I made
haste to reach Bagdad, and taking the King's letter I presented myself
at the palace gate, followed by the beautiful slave, and various members
of my own family, bearing the treasure.

As soon as I had declared my errand I was conducted into the presence of
the Caliph, to whom, after I had made my obeisance, I gave the letter
and the King's gift, and when he had examined them he demanded of me
whether the Prince of Serendib was really as rich and powerful as he
claimed to be.

"Commander of the Faithful," I replied, again bowing humbly before him,
"I can assure your Majesty that he has in no way exaggerated his wealth
and grandeur. Nothing can equal the magnificence of his palace. When he
goes abroad his throne is prepared upon the back of an elephant, and on
either side of him ride his ministers, his favorites, and courtiers. On
his elephant's neck sits an officer, his golden lance in his hand, and
behind him stands another bearing a pillar of gold, at the top of which
is an emerald as long as my hand. A thousand men in cloth of gold,
mounted upon richly caparisoned elephants, go before him, and as the
procession moves onward the officer who guides his elephant cries aloud,
'Behold the mighty monarch, the powerful and valiant Sultan of the
Indies, whose palace is covered with a hundred thousand rubies, who
possesses twenty thousand diamond crowns. Behold a monarch greater than
Solomon and Mihrage in all their glory!'

"Then the one who stands behind the throne answers: 'This king, so great
and powerful, must die, must die, must die!'

"And the first takes up the chant