ote them in our presence."

The sultan was too much surprised at this account not to desire a
sight of me, and therefore said, "Do what I command you, and bring me
speedily that wonderful ape."

The officers returned to the vessel, and showed the captain their
order, who answered, "The sultan's command must be obeyed." Whereupon
they clothed me with the rich brocade robe, and carried me ashore,
where they set me on horseback, while the sultan waited for me at his
palace with a great number of courtiers.

The procession commenced; the harbor, the streets, the public places,
windows, terraces, palaces, and houses were filled with an infinite
number of people of all ranks, who flocked from every part of the city
to see me; for the rumor was spread in a moment that the sultan had
chosen an ape to be his grand vizier; and after having served for a
spectacle to the people, who could not forbear to express their
surprise by redoubling their shouts and cries, I arrived at the
sultan's palace.

I found the prince on his throne in the midst of the grandees; I made
my obeisance three times very low, and at last kneeled and kissed the
ground before him, and afterward took my seat in the posture of an
ape. The whole assembly viewed me with admiration, and could not
comprehend how it was possible that an ape should so well understand
how to pay the sultan his due respect; and he himself was more
astonished than any. In short, the usual ceremony of the audience
would have been complete, could I have added speech to my behavior.

The sultan dismissed his courtiers, and none remained by him but the
chief of the attendants of the palace, a little young slave, and
myself. He went from his chamber of audience into his own apartment,
where he ordered dinner to be brought. As he sat at table, he made me
a sign to approach and eat with them. To show my obedience, I kissed
the ground, arose, and placed myself at the table, and ate.

Before the table was cleared, I espied a standish, which I made a sign
to have brought me; having got it, I wrote upon a large peach some
verses expressive of my acknowledgment to the sultan; who, having read
them, after I had presented the peach to him, was still more
astonished. When the things were removed, they brought him a
particular liquor, of which he caused them to give me a glass. I
drank, and wrote upon the glass some new verses, which explained the
state of happiness I was now in, after many suff