The Arabian Nights Entertainments, vol 3 | Page 8

wish to
visit the earth, we have no occasion to dry them. Our language is the
same with that of the writing engraved upon the seal of the great
prophet Solomon the son of David.
"I must not forget to inform you further, that the water does not in the
least hinder us from seeing: for we can open our eyes without any
inconvenience: and as we have quick, piercing sight, we can discern
any objects as clearly in the deepest part of the sea as upon land. We
have also there a succession of day and night; the moon affords us her
light; and even the planets and the stars appear visible to us. I have
already spoken of our kingdoms; but as the sea is much more spacious
than the earth, so there are a great number of them, and of great extent.
They are divided into provinces; and in each province are several great
cities well peopled. In short there is an infinite number of nations
differing in manners and customs, as they do on the earth.
"The palaces of the kings and princes are sumptuous and magnificent.
Some of them are constructed of marble of various colours; others of
rock-crystal, with which the sea abounds, mother of pearl, coral, and of
other materials more valuable; gold, silver, and all sorts of precious
stones are more plentiful there than on earth. I say nothing of the pearls,
since the largest that ever were seen upon earth would not be valued
amongst us; and none but the very lowest rank of citizens would wear
them.
"As we have a marvellous and incredible agility to transport ourselves
whither we please in the twinkling of an eye, we have no occasion for

carriages or horses; not but the king has his stables and his stud of sea
horses; but they are seldom used, except upon public feasts or rejoicing
days. Some, after they have trained them, take delight in riding and
shewing their skill and dexterity in races; others put them to chariots of
mother of pearl, adorned with an infinite number of shells of all sorts,
of the liveliest colours. These chariots are open; and in the middle is a
throne on which the king sits, and shows himself to the public view of
his subjects. The horses are trained to draw by themselves; so that there
is no occasion for a charioteer to guide them. I pass over a thousand
other curious particulars relating to these submarine countries, which
would be very entertaining to your majesty; but you must permit me to
defer them to a future opportunity, to speak of something of much
greater consequence, which is, that the method of delivering, and the
way of managing the women of the sea in their lying-in, is very
different from those of the women of the earth; and I am afraid to trust
myself in the hands of the midwives of this country: therefore, since
my safe delivery equally concerns us both, with your majesty's
permission, I think it proper, for greater security, to send for my mother
and my cousins, to assist at my labour; at the same time to desire the
king my brother's company, to whom I have a great desire to be
reconciled. They will be glad to see me again, when they understand I
am wife to the mighty king of Persia. I beseech your majesty to give
me leave to send for them. I am sure they will be happy to pay their
respects to you; and I venture to say you will be pleased to see them."
"Madam," replied the king of Persia, "you are mistress; do whatever
you please; I will endeavour to receive them with all the honours they
deserve. But I would fain know how you will acquaint them with what
you desire, and when they will arrive, that I may give orders to make
preparation for their reception, and go myself in person to meet them."
"Sire," replied the Queen Gulnare, "there is no need of these
ceremonies; they will be here in a moment; and if your majesty will but
step into the closet, and look through the lattice, you shall see the
manner of their arrival."
As soon as the king of Persia was in the closet, Queen Gulnare ordered
one of her women to bring her a fire-pan with a little fire. After that she
bade her retire, and shut the door. When she was alone, she took a piece
of aloes-wood out of a box, and put it into the fire-pan. As soon as she

saw the smoke rise, she repeated some words unknown to the king of
Persia, who observed with great attention all that she did. She had no
sooner ended, than the