Stories of Arabian Nights -
One thousand one Arabian Nights
The First Voyage of Sindbad the Sailor
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In the times of the Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid
there lived in Bagdad a poor porter named Hindbad, who on a very hot day was
sent to carry a heavy load from one end of the city to the other. Before he had
accomplished half the distance he was so tired that, finding himself in a quiet
street where the pavement was sprinkled with rose water, and a cool breeze was
blowing, he set his burden upon the ground, and sat down to rest in the shade of
a grand house. 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 appetising 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 differences 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 entrusted 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 sorts of delicacies. In the place of honour sat a tall,
grave man whose long white beard gave him a venerable air. Behind his chair
stood a crowd of attendants eager to minister to his wants. This was the famous
Sindbad himself. The porter, more than ever alarmed at the sight of so much
magnificence, tremblingly saluted the noble company. Sindbad, making a sign to
him to approach, caused him to be seated at his right hand, and himself heaped
choice morsels upon his plate, and poured out for him a draught of excellent
wine, and presently, when the banquet drew to a close, spoke to him familiarly,
asking his name and occupation.
"My lord," replied the porter, "I am called Hindbad."
"I am glad to see you here," continued Sindbad. "And I will answer for the rest
of the company that they are equally pleased, but I wish you to tell me what it
was that you said just now in the street." For Sindbad, passing by the open
window before the feast began, had heard his complaint and therefore had sent
for him.
At this question Hindbad was covered with confusion, and hanging down his head,
replied, "My lord, I confess that, overcome by weariness and ill-humour, I
uttered indiscreet words, which I pray you to pardon me."
"Oh!" replied Sindbad, "do not imagine that I am so unjust as to blame you. On
the contrary, I understand your situation and can pity you. Only you appear to
be mistaken about me, and I wish to set you right. You doubtless imagine that I
have acquired all the wealth and luxury that you see me enjoy without difficulty
or danger, but this is far indeed from being the case. I have only reached this
happy state after having for years suffered every possible kind of toil and
danger."
"Yes, my noble friends," he continued, addressing the company, "l assure you
that my adventures have been strange enough to deter even the most avaricious
men from seeking wealth by traversing the seas. Since you have, perhaps, heard
but confused accounts of my seven voyages, and the dangers and wonders that I
have met with by sea and land, I will now give you a full and true account of
them, which I think you will be well pleased to hear."
As Sindbad was relating his adventures chiefly on account of the porter, he
ordered, before beginning his tale, that the burden which had been left in the
street should be carried by some of his own servants to the place for which
Hindbad had set out at first, while he remained to listen to the story.
First Voyage
I had inherited considerable wealth from my parents, and being young and foolish
I at first squandered it recklessly upon every kind of pleasure, but presently,
finding that riches speedily take to themselves wings if managed as badly as I
was managing mine, and remembering also that to be old and poor is misery
indeed, I began to bethink me of how I could make the best of what still
remained to me. I sold all my household goods by public auction, and joined a
company of merchants who traded by sea, embarking with them at Balsora in a ship
which we had fitted out between us.
We set sail and took our course towards the East Indies by the Persian Gulf,
having the coast of Persia upon our left hand and upon our right the shores of
Arabia Felix. I was at first much troubled by the uneasy motion of the vessel,
but speedily recovered my health, and since that hour have been no more plagued
by sea-sickness.
From time to time we landed at various islands, where we sold or exchanged our
merchandise, and one day, when the wind dropped suddenly, we found ourselves
becalmed close to a small island like a green meadow, which only rose slightly
above the surface of the water. Our sails were furled, and the captain gave
permission to all who wished to land for a while and amuse themselves. I was
among the number, but when after strolling about for some time we lighted a fire
and sat down to enjoy the repast which we had brought with us, we were startled
by a sudden and violent trembling of the island, while at the same moment those
left upon the ship set up an outcry bidding us come on board for our lives,
since what we had taken for an island was nothing but the back of a sleeping
whale. Those who were nearest to the boat threw themselves into it, others
sprang into the sea, but before I could save myself the whale plunged suddenly
into the depths of the ocean, leaving me clinging to a piece of the wood which
we had brought to make our fire. Meanwhile a breeze had sprung up, and in the
confusion that ensued on board our vessel in hoisting the sails and taking up
those who were in the boat and clinging to its sides, no one missed me and I was
left at the mercy of the waves. All that day I floated up and down, now beaten
this way, now that, and when night fell I despaired for my life; but, weary and
spent as I was, I clung to my frail support, and great was my joy when the
morning light showed me that I had drifted against an island.
The cliffs were high and steep, but luckily for me some tree-roots protruded in
places, and by their aid I climbed up at last, and stretched myself upon the
turf at the top, where I lay, more dead than alive, till the sun was high in the
heavens. By that time I was very hungry, but after some searching I came upon
some eatable herbs, and a spring of clear water, and much refreshed I set out to
explore the island. Presently I reached a great plain where a grazing horse was
tethered, and as I stood looking at it I heard voices talking apparently
underground, and in a moment a man appeared who asked me how I came upon the
island. I told him my adventures, and heard in return that he was one of the
grooms of Mihrage, the king of the island, and that each year they came to feed
their master's horses in this plain. He took me to a cave where his companions
were assembled, and when I had eaten of the food they set before me, they bade
me think myself fortunate to have come upon them when I did, since they were
going back to their master on the morrow, and without their aid I could
certainly never have found my way to the inhabited part of the island.
Early the next morning we accordingly set out, and when we reached the capital I
was graciously received by the king, to whom I related my adventures, upon which
he ordered that I should be well cared for and provided with such things as I
needed. Being a merchant I sought out men of my own profession, and particularly
those who came from foreign countries, as I hoped in this way to hear news from
Bagdad, and find out some means of returning thither, for the capital was
situated upon the sea-shore, and visited by vessels from all parts of the world.
In the meantime I heard many curious things, and answered many questions
concerning my own country, for I talked willingly with all who came to me. Also
to while away the time of waiting I explored a little island named Cassel, which
belonged to King Mihrage, and which was supposed to be inhabited by a spirit
named Deggial. Indeed, the sailors assured me that often at night the playing of
timbals could be heard upon it. However, I saw nothing strange upon my voyage,
saving some fish that were full two hundred cubits long, but were fortunately
more in dread of us than even we were of them, and fled from us if we did but
strike upon a board to frighten them. Other fishes there were only a cubit long
which had heads like owls.
One day after my return, as I went down to the quay, I saw a ship which had just
cast anchor, and was discharging her cargo, while the merchants to whom it
belonged were busily directing the removal of it to their warehouses. Drawing
nearer I presently noticed that my own name was marked upon some of the
packages, and after having carefully examined them, I felt sure that they were
indeed those which I had put on board our ship at Balsora. I then recognised the
captain of the vessel, but as I was certain that he believed me to be dead, I
went up to him and asked who owned the packages that I was looking at.
"There was on board my ship," he replied, "a merchant of Bagdad named Sindbad.
One day he and several of my other passengers landed upon what we supposed to be
an island, but which was really an enormous whale floating asleep upon the
waves. No sooner did it feel upon its back the heat of the fire which had been
kindled, than it plunged into the depths of the sea. Several of the people who
were upon it perished in the waters, and among others this unlucky Sindbad. This
merchandise is his, but I have resolved to dispose of it for the benefit of his
family if I should ever chance to meet with them."
"Captain," said I, "I am that Sindbad whom you believe to be dead, and these are
my possessions!"
When the captain heard these words he cried out in amazement, "Lackaday! and
what is the world coming to? In these days there is not an honest man to be met
with. Did I not with my own eyes see Sindbad drown, and now you have the
audacity to tell me that you are he! I should have taken you to be a just man,
and yet for the sake of obtaining that which does not belong to you, you are
ready to invent this horrible falsehood."
"Have patience, and do me the favour to hear my story," said I.
"Speak then," replied the captain, "I'm all attention."
So I told him of my escape and of my fortunate meeting with the king's grooms,
and how kindly I had been received at the palace. Very soon I began to see that
I had made some impression upon him, and after the arrival of some of the other
merchants, who showed great joy at once more seeing me alive, he declared that
he also recognised me.
Throwing himself upon my neck he exclaimed, "Heaven be praised that you have
escaped from so great a danger. As to your goods, I pray you take them, and
dispose of them as you please." I thanked him, and praised his honesty, begging
him to accept several bales of merchandise in token of my gratitude, but he
would take nothing. Of the choicest of my goods I prepared a present for King
Mihrage, who was at first amazed, having known that I had lost my all. However,
when I had explained to him how my bales had been miraculously restored to me,
he graciously accepted my gifts, and in return gave me many valuable things. I
then took leave of him, and exchanging my merchandise for sandal and aloes wood,
camphor, nutmegs, cloves, pepper, and ginger, I embarked upon the same vessel
and traded so successfully upon our homeward voyage that I arrived in Balsora
with about one hundred thousand sequins. My family received me with as much joy
as I felt upon seeing them once more. I bought land and slaves, and built a
great house in which I resolved to live happily, and in the enjoyment of all the
pleasures of life to forget my past sufferings.
Here Sindbad paused, and commanded the musicians to play again, while the
feasting continued until evening. When the time came for the porter to depart,
Sindbad gave him a purse containing one hundred sequins, saying, "Take this,
Hindbad, and go home, but to-morrow come again and you shall hear more of my
adventures."
The porter retired quite overcome by so much generosity, and you may imagine
that he was well received at home, where his wife and children thanked their
lucky stars that he had found such a benefactor.
The next day Hindbad, dressed in his best, returned to the voyager's house, and
was received with open arms. As soon as all the guests had arrived the banquet
began as before, and when they had feasted long and merrily, Sindbad addressed
them thus:
"My friends, I beg that you will give me your attention while I relate the
adventures of my second voyage, which you will find even more astonishing than
the first."
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