good fortune to escape by getting over the wall.  Being strangers, and somewhat overcome with wine, we are afraid of meeting that or some other watch, before we get home to our khan.  Besides, before we can arrive there the gates will be shut, and will not be opened till morning:  wherefore, hearing, as we passed by this way, the sound of music, we supposed you were not yet going to rest, and made bold to knock at your gate, to beg the favour of lodging ourselves in the house till morning; and if you think us worthy of your good company, we will endeavour to contribute to your diversion to the best of our power, to make some amends for the interruption we have given you; if not, we only beg the favour of staying this night in your vestibule.”

Whilst Jaaffier was speaking, Safie had time to observe the vizier, and his two companions, who were said to be merchants like himself, and told them that she was not mistress of the house; but if they would have a minute’s patience, she would return with an answer.

Safie made the business known to her sisters, who considered for some time what to do:  but being naturally of a good disposition, and having granted the same favour to the three calenders, they at last consented to let them in.

The caliph, his grand vizier, and the chief of the eunuchs, being introduced by the fair Safie, very courteously saluted the ladies and the calenders.  The ladies returned their salutations, supposing them to be merchants.  Zobeide, as the chief, addressed them with a grave and serious countenance, which was natural to her, and said, “You are welcome.  But before I proceed farther, I hope you will not take it ill if we desire one favour of you.”  “Alas!” said the vizier, “what favour?  We can refuse nothing to such fair ladies.”  Zobeide continued, “It is that, while here, you would have eyes, but no tongues; that you question us not for the reason of any thing you may see, and speak not of any thing that does not concern you, lest you hear what will by no means please you.”

“Madam,” replied the vizier, “you shall be obeyed.  We are not censorious, nor impertinently curious; it is enough for us to notice affairs that concern us, without meddling with what does not belong to us.”  Upon this they all sat down, and the company being united, they drank to the health of the new-comers.

While the vizier, entertained the ladies in conversation, the caliph could not forbear admiring their extraordinary beauty, graceful behaviour, pleasant humour, and ready wit; on the other hand, nothing struck him with more surprise than the calenders being all three blind of the right eye.  He would gladly have learnt the cause of this singularity; but the conditions so lately imposed upon himself and his companions would not allow him to speak.  These circumstances, with the richness of the furniture, the exact order of every thing, and the neatness of the house, made him think they were in some enchanted place.