do the earliest modern travelers, the Venetian
Marco Polo, and the English Sir John Mandeville.]

The porter lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, loud enough to be
heard, "Almighty Creator of all things, consider the difference
between Sindbad and me! I am every day exposed to fatigues and
calamities, and can scarcely get coarse barley bread for myself and my
family, while happy Sindbad profusely expends immense riches, and
leads a life of continual pleasure. What has he done to obtain from
Thee a lot so agreeable? And what have I done to deserve one so
wretched?"

While the porter was thus indulging his melancholy, a servant came out
of the house, and taking him by the arm, bade him follow him, for
Sindbad, his master, wanted to speak to him.

The servant brought him into a great hall, where a number of people
sat round a table covered with all sorts of savory dishes. At the
upper end sat a comely, venerable gentleman, with a long white beard,
and behind him stood a number of officers and domestics, all ready to
attend his pleasure. This person was Sindbad. Hindbad, whose fear was
increased at the sight of so many people, and of a banquet so
sumptuous, saluted the company, trembling. Sindbad bade him draw near,
and seating him at his right hand, served him himself, and gave him
excellent wine, of which there was abundance upon the sideboard.

Now Sindbad had himself heard the porter complain through the window,
and this it was that induced him to have him brought in. When the
repast was over, Sindbad addressed his conversation to Hindbad, and
inquired his name and employment, and said, "I wish to hear from your
own mouth what it was you lately said in the street."

At this request, Hindbad hung down his head in confusion, and replied,
"My lord, I confess that my fatigue put me out of humor and occasioned
me to utter some indiscreet words, which I beg you to pardon."

"Do not think I am so unjust," resumed Sindbad, "as to resent such a
complaint. But I must rectify your error concerning myself. You think,
no doubt, that I have acquired without labor and trouble the ease and
indulgence which I now enjoy. But do not mistake; I did not attain to
this happy condition without enduring for several years more trouble
of body and mind than can well be imagined. Yes, gentlemen," he added,
speaking to the whole company, "I assure you that my sufferings have
been of a nature so extraordinary as would deprive the greatest