rich and magnificent.  Being tired with walking, he sat down in a verandah or arcade closet, which had a view over the garden, reflecting what he had already seen, and then beheld:  when suddenly he heard the voice of one complaining, in lamentable tones.  He listened with attention, and heard distinctly these words:  “O fortune! thou who wouldst not suffer me longer to enjoy a happy lot, forbear to persecute me, and by a speedy death put an end to my sorrows.  Alas! is it possible that I am still alive, after so many torments as I have suffered!”

The sultan rose up, advanced toward the place whence he heard the voice; and coming to the door of a great hall, opened it, and saw a handsome young man, richly habited, seated upon a throne raised a little above the ground.  Melancholy was painted on his countenance.  The sultan drew near, and saluted him; the young man returned his salutation by an inclination of his head, not being able to rise, at the same time saying, “My lord, I should rise to receive you; but am hindered by sad necessity, and therefore hope you will not be offended.”  “My lord,” replied the sultan, “I am much obliged to you for having so good an opinion of me:  as to the reason of your not rising, whatever your apology be, I heartily accept it.  Being drawn hither by your complaints, and afflicted by your grief, I come to offer you my help; would to God that it lay in my power to ease you of your trouble!  I would do my utmost to effect it.  I flatter myself that you will relate to me the history of your misfortunes; but inform me first of the meaning of the lake near the palace, where the fish are of four colours? whose this castle is? how you came to be here? and why you are alone?”

Instead of answering these questions, the young man began to weep bitterly.  “How inconstant is fortune!” cried he; “she takes pleasure to pull down those she had raised.  Where are they who enjoy quietly the happiness which they hold of her, and whose day is always clear and serene?”

The sultan, moved with compassion to see him in such a condition, prayed him to relate the cause of his excessive grief.  “Alas! my lord,” replied the young man, “how is it possible but I should grieve, and my eyes be inexhaustible fountains of tears?” At these words, lifting up his robe, he shewed the sultan that he was a man only from the head to the girdle, and that the other half of his body was black marble.

The sultan was much surprised, when he saw the deplorable condition of the young man.  “That which you shew me,” said he, “while it fills me with horror, excites my curiosity, so that I am impatient to hear your history, which, no doubt, must be extraordinary, and I am persuaded that the lake and the fish make some part of it; therefore I conjure you to relate it.  You will find some comfort in so doing, since it is certain, that the unfortunate find relief in making known their distress.”  “I will not refuse your request,” replied the young man, “though I cannot comply without renewing my grief.  But I give you notice before hand, to prepare your ears, your mind, and even your eyes, for things which surpass all that the imagination can conceive.”