nted, but too
late, that he had not taken the advice of his vizier, who, with
Mesrour, the calenders, and porter, were, from his ill-timed
curiosity, on the point of forfeiting their lives.

Before they gave the fatal stroke, one of the slaves said to Zobeide
and her sisters, "Would it not be right to interrogate them first?" On
which Zobeide, with a grave voice, said: "Answer me, and say who you
are, otherwise you shall not live one moment longer. I cannot believe
you to be honest men, or persons of authority or distinction in your
own countries; for, if you were, you would have been more modest and
more respectful to us."

The caliph, naturally warm, was infinitely more indignant than the
rest, to find his life depending upon the command of a woman: but he
began to conceive some hopes, when he found she wished to know who
they all were; for he imagined that she would by no means take away
his life when she should be informed of his rank. He whispered to his
vizier, who was near him, instantly to declare who he was. But this
wise vizier, being more prudent, resolved to save his master's honor,
and not let the world know the affront he had brought upon himself by
his own imprudence; and therefore answered, "We have what we deserve."

But if he had intended to speak as the caliph commanded him, Zobeide
would not have allowed him time: for having turned to the calenders,
and seeing them all blind with one eye, she asked if they were
brothers.

One of them answered, "No, madam, no otherwise than as we are
calenders; that is to say, as we observe the same rules."

"Were you born blind of the right eye?" continued she.

"No, madam," answered he; "I lost my eye in such a surprising
adventure, that it would be instructive to every one to hear it."

Zobeide put the same question to the others in their turn, when the
last she addressed replied, "Pray, madam, show some pity on us, for we
are all the sons of kings. Although we have never seen each other
before this evening, we have had sufficient time to become acquainted
with this circumstance; and I can assure you that the kings who have
given us birth have made some noise in the world!" During this speech
Zobeide became less angry, and said to the slaves, "Give them their
liberty a while, but remain where you are. Those who tell us their
history, and the occasion of their coming, do them not hurt, let them
go where they please; but do not spare those who refuse to give