, to observe our
direction, and to be patient during this period." Upon hearing this, I
swore to them that I would never open the closet to which they alluded;
and they departed, urging me to be faithful to my promise.

I remained alone in the palace, and at the approach of evening I opened
the first closet, and, entering it, found a mansion like paradise, with
a garden containing green trees loaded with ripe fruits, abounding with
singing birds, and watered by copious streams. My heart was soothed by
the sight, and I wandered among the trees, scenting the fragrance of the
flowers, and listening to the warbling of the birds as they sang the
praises of the One, the Almighty. After admiring the mingled colours of
the apple resembling the hue upon the cheek of the beloved maid and the
sallow countenance of the perplexed and timid lover, the sweet-smelling
quince diffusing an odour like musk and ambergris, and the plum shining
as the ruby, I retired from this place, and, having locked the door,
opened that of the next closet, within which I beheld a spacious tract
planted with numerous palm-trees, and watered by a river flowing among
rose-trees, and jasmine, and marjoram, and eglantine, and narcissus, and
gilliflower, the odours of which, diffused in every direction by the
wind, inspired me with the utmost delight. I locked again the door of
the second closet, and opened that of the third. Within this I found a
large saloon, paved with marbles of various colours, and with costly
minerals and precious gems, and containing cages constructed of sandal
and aloes-wood with singing birds within them, and others upon the
branches of trees which were planted there. My heart was charmed, my
trouble was dissipated, and I slept there until the morning. I then
opened the door of the fourth closet, and within this door I found a
great building in which were forty closets with open doors; and entering
these, I beheld pearls, and rubies, and chrysolites, and emeralds, and
other precious jewels such as the tongue cannot describe. I was
astonished at the sight, and said: "Such things as these, I imagine, are
not found in the treasury of any king. I am now the King of my age, and
all these treasures, through the goodness of God, are mine."

[Illustration]

_At the approach of evening I opened the first closet and, entering it,
found a mansion like paradise._

Thus I continued to amuse myself, passing from one place to another,
until thir