who told him it was the city of the magicians, so called because of the great number of magicians therein who adored fire, and that there were but very few Mussulmen.  Amgrad then demanded how far it was to the isle of Ebene:  he was answered, that it was four months’ voyage by sea, and a year’s journey by land.  The man, having satisfied the prince as to these two questions, hastily left him, and went about his business.

Amgrad, who was about six weeks coming from the isle of Ebene with his brother Assad, could not comprehend how they came to this city in so short a time, unless the way across the mountain were much shortened, and not frequented because of the difficulty of the pass.

Proceeding further through the town, he stopped at a tailor’s shop, whom he knew to be a Mussulman by his habit, as he had likewise known the man with whom he had just before conversed.  Having saluted him, he sat down, and told him the occasion of troubling him.

When prince Amgrad had done speaking, the tailor replied, If your brother has fallen into the hands of some magician, depend upon it you will never more see him; he is irrecoverably lost:  Comfort yourself, therefore, as well as you can, and beware of falling into the same misfortune; to avoid which, I would advise you to stay for some time at my house, and I will acquaint you with all the tricks of these magicians, that, when you go from hence, you may take the more care of yourself by being guarded against them.  Amgrad, impressed with the deepest concern for the loss of his brother, accepted the tailor’s offer, and returned him a thousand thanks for his kindness.

The story of prince Amgrad, and A lady of
the city of the magicians.

Prince Amgrad went not out of the tailor’s house for a whole month, without his host accompanying him; at last, however, he ventured to go to the baths.  Returning home through a street in which there was nobody but himself and a lady, he was surprised at her approaching him unveiled.  The lady, seeing a handsome young man just come out of the bath, asked him, with a smiling air, whither he was going? casting, at the same time, such amorous glances, that Amgrad could not possibly resist her charms.  Madam, said he, I am going to my own house or yours, as you please.

My lord, replied the lady, with an agreeable smile, ladies of my quality never take men to their own houses; they always go to the men’s.

At this unexpected answer of the lady, Amgrad was very much confounded; he durst not venture to take her home to his landlord’s, fearing that he would be so highly displeased with him as to withdraw his protection, of which, considering he was in a place where he must always be upon his guard, he stood in too much need.  Quite unacquainted with the city, he knew not where to carry her, and yet was unwilling to lose so happy an opportunity.  In