"Now we are here we may as well begin to dig our graves at once, since from this fatal spot no shipwrecked mariner13 has ever returned."
The mountain formed the seaward boundary of a large island, and the narrow strip of rocky shore upon which we stood was strewn with the wreckage15 of a thousand gallant16 ships, while the bones of the luckless mariners17 shone white in the sunshine, and we shuddered18 to think how soon our own would be added to the heap. All around, too, lay vast quantities of the costliest19 merchandise, and treasures were heaped in every cranny of the rocks, but all these things only added to the desolation of the scene. It struck me as a very strange thing that a river of clear fresh water, which gushed20 out from the mountain not far from where we stood, instead of flowing into the sea as rivers generally do, turned off sharply, and flowed out of sight under a natural archway of rock, and when I went to examine it more closely I found that inside the cave the walls were thick with diamonds, and rubies21, and masses of crystal, and the floor was strewn with ambergris. Here, then, upon this desolate22 shore we abandoned ourselves to our fate, for there was no possibility of scaling the mountain, and if a ship had appeared it could only have shared our doom23. The first thing our captain did was to divide equally amongst us all the food we possessed24, and then the length of each man's life depended on the time he could make his portion last. I myself could live upon very little.
Nevertheless, by the time I had buried the last of my companions my stock of provisions was so small that I hardly thought I should live long enough to dig my own grave, which I set about doing, while I regretted bitterly the roving disposition25 which was always bringing me into such straits, and thought longingly26 of all the comfort and luxury that I had left. But luckily for me the fancy took me to stand once more beside the river where it plunged27 out of sight in the depths of the cavern28, and as I did so an idea struck me. This river which hid itself underground doubtless emerged again at some distant spot. Why should I not build a raft and trust myself to its swiftly flowing waters? If I perished before I could reach the light of day once more I should be no worse off than I was now, for death stared me in the face, while there was always the possibility that, as I was born under a lucky star, I might find myself safe and sound in some desirable land. I decided29 at any rate to risk it, and speedily built myself a stout30 raft of drift-wood with strong cords, of which enough and to spare lay strewn upon the beach. I then made up many packages of rubies, emeralds, rock crystal, ambergris, and precious stuffs, and bound them upon my raft, being careful to preserve the balance, and then I seated myself upon it, having two small oars31 that I had fashioned laid ready to my hand, and loosed the cord which held it to the bank. Once out in the current my raft flew swiftly under the gloomy archway, and I found myself in total darkness, carried smoothly32 forward by the rapid river. On I went as it seemed to me for many nights and days. Once the channel became so small that I had a narrow escape of being crushed against the rocky roof, and after that I took the precaution of lying flat upon my precious bales. Though I only ate what was absolutely necessary to keep myself alive, the inevitable33 moment came when, after swallowing my last morsel34 of food, I began to wonder if I must after all die of hunger. Then, worn out with anxiety and fatigue35, I fell into a deep sleep, and when I again opened my eyes I was once more in the light of day; a beautiful country lay before me, and my raft, which was tied to the river bank, was surrounded by friendly looking black men. I rose and saluted36 them, and they spoke37 to me in return, but I could not understand a word of their language. Feeling perfectly38 bewildered by my sudden return to life and light, I murmured to myself in Arabic, "Close thine eyes, and while thou sleepest Heaven will change thy fortune from evil to good."
One of the natives, who understood this tongue, then came forward saying:
"My brother, be not surprised to see us; this is our land, and as we came to get water from the river we noticed your raft floating down it, and one of us swam out and brought you to the shore. We have waited for your awakening39; tell us now whence you come and where you were going by that dangerous way?"
I replied that nothing would please me better than to tell them, but that I was starving, and would fain eat something first. I was soon supplied with all I needed, and having satisfied my hunger I told them faithfully all that had befallen me. They were lost in wonder at my tale when it was interpreted to them, and said that adventures so surprising must be related to their king only by the man to whom they had happened. So, procuring40 a horse, they mounted me upon it, and we set out, followed by several strong men carrying my raft just as it was upon their shoulders. In this order we marched into the city of Serendib, where the natives presented me to their king, whom I saluted in the Indian fashion, prostrating41 myself at his feet and kissing the ground; but the monarch42 bade me rise and sit beside him, asking first what was my name.
"I am Sindbad," I replied, "whom men call `the Sailor,' for I have voyaged much upon many seas."
"And how come you here?" asked the king.
I told my story, concealing43 nothing, and his surprise and delight were so great that he ordered my adventures to be written in letters of gold and laid up in the archives of his kingdom.
Presently my raft was brought in and the bales opened in his presence, and the king declared that in all his treasury44 there were no such rubies and emeralds as those which lay in great heaps before him. Seeing that he looked at them with interest, I ventured to say that I myself and all that I had were at his disposal, but he answered me smiling:
"Nay45, Sindbad. Heaven forbid that I should covet46 your riches; I will rather add to them, for I desire that you shall not leave my kingdom without some tokens of my good will." He then commanded his officers to provide me with a suitable lodging47 at his expense, and sent slaves to wait upon me and carry my raft and my bales to my new dwelling48 place. You may imagine that I praised his generosity49 and gave him grateful thanks, nor did I fail to present myself daily in his audience chamber50, and for the rest of my time I amused myself in seeing all that was most worthy51 of attention in the city. The island of Serendib being situated52 on the equinoctial line, the days and nights there are of equal length. The chief city is placed at the end of a beautiful valley, formed by the highest mountain in the world, which is in the middle of the island. I had the curiosity to ascend53 to its very summit, for this was the place to which Adam was banished54 out of Paradise. Here are found rubies and many precious things, and rare plants grow abundantly, with cedar55 trees and cocoa palms. On the seashore and at the mouths of the rivers the divers56 seek for pearls, and in some valleys diamonds are plentiful57. After many days I petitioned the king that I might return to my own country, to which he graciously consented. Moreover, he loaded me with rich gifts, and when I went to take leave of him he entrusted58 me with a royal present and a letter to the Commander of the Faithful, our sovereign lord, saying, "I pray you give these to the Caliph Haroun al Raschid, and assure him of my friendship."
I accepted the charge respectfully, and soon embarked upon the vessel which the king himself had chosen for me. The king's letter was written in blue characters upon a rare and precious skin of yellowish colour, and these were the words of it: "The King of the Indies, before whom walk a thousand elephants, who lives in a palace, of which the roof blazes with a hundred thousand rubies, and whose treasure house contains twenty thousand diamond crowns, to the Caliph Haroun al Raschid sends greeting. Though the offering we present to you is unworthy of your notice, we pray you to accept it as a mark of the esteem59 and friendship which we cherish for you, and of which we gladly send you this token, and we ask of you a like regard if you deem us worthy of it. Adieu, brother."
The present consisted of a vase carved from a single ruby60, six inches high and as thick as my finger; this was filled with the choicest pearls, large, and of perfect shape and lustre61; secondly62, a huge snake skin, with scales as large as a sequin, which would preserve from sickness those who slept upon it. Then quantities of aloes wood, camphor, and pistachio-nuts; and lastly, a beautiful slave girl, whose robes glittered with precious stones.
After a long and prosperous voyage we landed at Balsora, and I made haste to reach Bagdad, and taking the king's letter I presented myself at the palace gate, followed by the beautiful slave, and various members of my own family, bearing the treasure.
As soon as I had declared my errand I was conducted into the presence of the Caliph, to whom, after I had made my obeisance63, I gave the letter and the king's gift, and when he had examined them he demanded of me whether the Prince of Serendib was really as rich and powerful as he claimed to be.
"Commander of the Faithful," I replied, again bowing humbly64 before him, "I can assure your Majesty65 that he has in no way exaggerated his wealth and grandeur66. Nothing can equal the magnificence of his palace. When he goes abroad his throne is prepared upon the back of an elephant, and on either side of him ride his ministers, his favourites, and courtiers. On his elephant's neck sits an officer, his golden lance in his hand, and behind him stands another bearing a pillar of gold, at the top of which is an emerald as long as my hand. A thousand men in cloth of gold, mounted upon richly caparisoned elephants, go before him, and as the procession moves onward67 the officer who guides his elephant cries aloud, `Behold68 the mighty69 monarch, the powerful and valiant70 Sultan of the Indies, whose palace is covered with a hundred thousand rubies, who possesses twenty thousand diamond crowns. Behold a monarch greater than Solomon and Mihrage in all their glory!'"
"Then the one who stands behind the throne answers: 'This king, so great and powerful, must die, must die, must die!'"
"And the first takes up the chant again, `All praise to Him who lives for evermore.'"
"Further, my lord, in Serendib no judge is needed, for to the king himself his people come for justice."
The Caliph was well satisfied with my report.
"From the king's letter," said he, "I judged that he was a wise man. It seems that he is worthy of his people, and his people of him."
So saying he dismissed me with rich presents, and I returned in peace to my own house.
When Sindbad had done speaking his guests withdrew, Hindbad having first received a hundred sequins, but all returned next day to hear the story of the seventh voyage, Sindbad thus began.
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1
marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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2
shipwreck
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| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
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perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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7
gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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8
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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9
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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10
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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11
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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12
scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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13
mariner
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| n.水手号不载人航天探测器，海员，航海者 | |
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14
lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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15
wreckage
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| n.（失事飞机等的）残骸，破坏，毁坏 | |
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16
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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17
mariners
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| 海员，水手（mariner的复数形式） | |
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18
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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19
costliest
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| adj.昂贵的( costly的最高级 )；代价高的；引起困难的；造成损失的 | |
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20
gushed
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| v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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21
rubies
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| 红宝石( ruby的名词复数 )； 红宝石色，深红色 | |
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22
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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23
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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24
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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longingly
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| adv. 渴望地 热望地 | |
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27
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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31
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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32
smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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33
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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36
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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37
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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38
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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39
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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40
procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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41
prostrating
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的现在分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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42
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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43
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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44
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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45
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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46
covet
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| vt.垂涎；贪图(尤指属于他人的东西) | |
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47
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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48
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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49
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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50
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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51
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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52
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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53
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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54
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
cedar
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| n.雪松，香柏(木) | |
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56
divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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57
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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58
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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60
ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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61
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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62
secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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63
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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64
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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65
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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66
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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67
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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68
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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69
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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