his power and wisdom.].  After he has pronounced these words, the officer behind the throne cries in his turn, This monarch, so great and so powerful, must die, must die, must die.  And the officer before replies, Praise be to him that lives for ever.  Further, the king of Serendib is so just, that there are no judges in his dominions; his people have no need of them; they understand and observe justice exactly of themselves.  The caliph was much pleased with my discourse.  The wisdom of that king, says he, appears in his letter; and, after what you tell me, I must confess that his wisdom is worthy of his people, and his people deserve so wise a prince.  Having spoken thus, he discharged me, and sent me home with a rich present.

Sindbad left off speaking, and his company retired, Hindbad having first received one hundred sequins; and next day they returned to hear the relation of his seventh and last voyage.

The Seventh and last Voyage of Sindbad the Sailor.

Being returned from my sixth voyage, I absolutely laid aside all thoughts of travelling any further.  For, besides that my years did now require rest, I was resolved no more to expose myself to such risks as I had run:  So that I thought of nothing but to pass the rest of my days in quiet.  One day, as I was treating some of my friends, one of my servants came and told me that an officer of the caliph asked for me.  I rose from the table, and went to him.  The caliph, says he, has sent me to tell you that he must speak with you.  I followed the officer to the palace; where being presented to the caliph, I saluted him by prostrating myself at his feet.  Sindbad, says he to me, I stand in need of you; you must do me the service to carry my answer and present to the king of Serendib.  It is but just I should return his civility.  This command of the caliph to me was like a clap of thunder.  Commander of the faithful, replied I, I am ready to do whatever your majesty shall think fit to command me; but I beseech you most humbly to consider what I have undergone; I have also made a vow never to go out of Bagdad.  Hence I took occasion to give him a large and particular account of all my adventures, which he had the patience to hear out.  As soon as I had finished, I confess, says he, that the things you tell me are very extraordinary, yet you must, for my sake, undertake this voyage which I propose to you.  You have nothing to do but to go to the isle of Serendib, and deliver the commission which I give you; after that, you are at liberty to return.  But you must go; for you know it would be indecent, and not suitable to my dignity, to be indebted to the king of the island.  Perceiving that the caliph insisted upon it, I submitted, and told him that I was willing to obey.  He was very well pleased at it, and ordered me a thousand sequins for the charge of my journey.