CONCLUSION.

The sultan of the Indies could not but admire the prodigious and inexhaustible memory of the sultaness his wife, who had entertained him so many nights with such a variety of interesting stories.

A thousand and one nights had passed away in these innocent amusements, which contributed so much towards removing the sultan’s unhappy prejudice against the fidelity of women.  His temper was softened.  He was convinced of the merit and great wisdom of the sultaness Scheherazade.  He remembered with what courage she had offered to be his wife, without fearing the death to which she knew she exposed herself, as so many sultanesses had suffered within her knowledge.

These considerations, and the many other good qualities he knew her to possess, induced him at last to forgive her.  “I see, lovely Scheherazade,” said he, “that you can never be at a loss for these little stories, which have so long diverted me.  You have appeased my anger.  I freely renounce the law I had imposed on myself.  I restore your sex to my favourable opinion, and will have you to be regarded as the deliverer of the many damsels I had resolved to sacrifice to my unjust resentment.”

The sultaness cast herself at his feet, and embraced them tenderly with all the marks of the most lively and perfect gratitude.

The grand vizier was the first who learned this agreeable intelligence from the sultan’s own mouth.  It was instantly carried to the city, towns, and provinces; and gained the sultan, and the lovely Scheherazade his consort, universal applause, and the blessings of all the people of the extensive empire of the Indies.

End of Volume 4.

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