from The Thousand and One Nights

The Second Voyage of Sindbad

the Sailor
Translated by N. J. Dawood

or some time after my return to saw the vessel, a white speck upon the vast blue
Baghdad I continued to lead a joyful ocean, dissolving into the far horizon.
and carefree life, but it was not long Broken with terror and despair, I threw myself
before I felt an irresistible longing to upon the sand, wailing: “Now your end has
travel again about the world and to visit distant come, Sindbad! The jar that drops a second time
cities and islands in quest of profit and adven- is sure to break!” I cursed the day I bade
ture. So I bought a great store of merchandise farewell to the joys of a contented life and bitter-
and, after making preparations for departure, ly repented my folly in venturing again upon
sailed down the Tigris to Basrah.1 There I the hazards and hardships of the sea, after hav-
embarked, together with a band of merchants, ing so narrowly escaped death in my first voyage.
in a fine new vessel, well-equipped and manned At length, resigning myself to my doom, I rose
by a sturdy crew, which set sail the same day. and, after wandering about aimlessly for some
Aided by a favorable wind, we voyaged for time, climbed into a tall tree. From its top I
many days and nights from port to port and gazed long in all directions, but could see noth-
from island to island, selling and bartering our ing save the sky, the trees, the birds, the sands,
goods, and haggling with merchants and officials and the boundless ocean. As I scanned the interior
wherever we cast anchor. At length Destiny of the island more closely, however, I gradually
carried our ship to the shores of an uninhabited became aware of some white object looming in
island, rich in fruit and flowers, and jubilant the distance. At once I climbed down the tree
with the singing of birds and the murmur of and made my way towards it. Drawing nearer, I
crystal streams. found to my astonishment that it was
Here passengers and crew went ashore, and a white dome of extraordinary dimensions.
we all set off to enjoy the delights of the island. I walked all round it, but could find no door
I strolled through the green meadows, leaving or entrance of any kind; and so smooth and
my companions far behind, and sat down in a slippery was its surface that any attempt to climb
shady thicket to eat a simple meal by a spring it would have been fruitless. I walked round it
of water. Lulled by the soft and fragrant breeze again, and, making a mark in the sand near its
which blew around me, I lay upon the grass and base, found that its circumference measured
presently fell asleep. more than fifty paces.
I cannot tell how long I slept, but when I Whilst I was thus engaged the sun was suddenly
awoke I saw none of my fellow-travelers, and hidden from my view as by a great cloud and the
soon realized that the ship had sailed away with-
out anyone noticing my absence. I ran in frantic 1. sailed down the Tigris to Basrah (bäsPrE): The Tigris
haste towards the sea, and on reaching the shore River runs south through Iraq to the port city of Basra.

WORDS TO KNOW
584 jubilant (jLPbE-lEnt) adj. extremely joyful
hidden from my view as by a great cloud and the
world grew dark around me. I lifted up my eyes “No soon
towards the sky, and was confounded to see a er
do
gigantic bird with enormous wings which, as it Ie
one peril sc
a pe f r o m
flew through the air, screened the sun and hid it th
an
from the island. Ifi
The sight of this prodigy2 instantly called to in anothe nd
rm mys e l f
my mind a story I had heard in my youth from or
eg
pilgrims and adventurers—how in a far island riev
ou s . ”
dwelt a bird of monstrous size called the roc,
which fed its young on elephants; and at once
I realized that the white dome was none other Looking around, I found myself on a precipi-
than a roc’s egg. In a twinkling the bird alighted tous hillside overlooking an exceedingly deep
upon the egg, covering it completely with its and vast valley. On all sides towered craggy
wings and stretching out its legs behind it on mountains whose beetling3 summits no man
the ground. And in this posture it went to sleep. could ever scale. I was stricken with fear and
(Glory to Him who never sleeps!) repented my rashness. “Would that I had
Rising swiftly, I unwound my turban from remained in that island!” I thought to myself.
my head, then doubled it and twisted it into a “There at least I lacked neither fruit nor water,
rope with which I securely bound myself by the while these barren steeps offer nothing to eat
waist to one of the great talons of the monster. or drink. No sooner do I escape from one peril
“Perchance this bird,” I thought, “will carry me than I find myself in another more grievous.
away to a civilized land; wherever I am set down, There is no strength or help save in Allah!”
it will surely be better than a solitary island.” When I had made my way down the hill
I lay awake all night, fearing to close my eyes I marveled to see the ground thickly covered
lest the bird should fly away with me while I with the rarest diamonds, so that the entire
slept. At daybreak the roc rose from the egg, and, valley blazed with a glorious light. Here and
spreading its wings, took to the air with a terrible there among the glittering stones, however,
cry. I clung fast to its talon as it winged its way coiled deadly snakes and vipers, dread keepers
through the void and soared higher and higher of the fabulous treasure. Thicker and longer than
until it almost touched the heavens. After some giant palm-trees, they could have swallowed
time it began to drop, and sailing swiftly down- whole elephants at one gulp. They were crawling
wards came to earth on the brow of a steep hill. back into their sunless dens, for by day they hid
Trembling with fear, I hastened to untie my themselves from their enemies the rocs and the
turban before the roc became aware of my pres- eagles and moved about only at night.
ence. Scarcely had I released myself when the Overwhelmed with horror, and oblivious of
monster darted off towards a great black object hunger and fatigue, I roamed the valley all day
lying near and, clutching it in its fearful claws, searching with infinite caution for a shelter
took wing again. As it rose in the air I was where I might pass the night. At dusk I came
astonished to see that this was a serpent of
immeasurable length; and with its prey the bird 2. prodigy: a rare or extraordinary event.
vanished from sight. 3. beetling: overhanging.

WORDS TO KNOW
confounded (kEn-founPdGd) adj. confused; befuddled
oblivious (E-blGvPC-Es) adj. not aware; unmindful 585
upon a narrow-mouthed cave, into which I chest. I had not remained long in that position
crawled, blocking its entrance from within by a when I suddenly felt myself lifted from the
great stone. I thought to myself: “Here I shall be ground by the talons of a huge vulture which
safe tonight. When tomorrow comes, let Destiny had tightly closed upon the meat. The bird
do its worst.” climbed higher and higher and finally alighted
Scarcely had I advanced a few steps, when I upon the top of a mountain. As soon as it began
saw at the far end of the cave an enormous ser- to tear at the flesh there arose from behind the
pent coiled in a great knot round its eggs. My neighboring rocks a great tumult, at which the
hair stood on end and I was transfixed with ter- bird took fright and flew away. At once I freed
ror. Seeing no way of escape, however, I put my myself and sprang to my feet, with face and
trust in Allah and kept vigil all night. At day clothes all bloody.
break I rolled back the stone and staggered out I saw a man come running to the spot and stop
of the cave, reeling like a drunken man. in alarm as he saw me. Without uttering a word
As I thus stumbled along I noticed a great joint he cautiously bent over the carcass to examine it,
of flesh come tumbling down into the valley from eyeing me suspiciously all the while; but finding
rock to rock. Upon closer inspection I found this no diamonds, he wrung his hands and lifted up
to be a whole sheep, skinned and drawn. I was his arms, crying: “O heavy loss! Allah, in whom
deeply perplexed at the mystery, for there was not alone dwell all power and majesty, defend us
a soul in sight; but at that very moment there from the wiles of the Evil One!”
flashed across my mind the memory of a story I Before I could explain my presence the man,
had once heard from travelers who had visited shaking with fear, turned to me and asked:
the Diamond Mountains—how men obtained the “Who are you, and how came you here?”
diamonds from this treacherous and inaccessible “Do not be alarmed, sir,” I replied, “I am no
valley by a strange device. Before sunrise they evil spirit, but an honest man, a merchant by
would throw whole carcasses of sheep from the profession. My story is an extraordinary one,
top of the mountains, so that the gems on which and the adventure which has brought me to these
they fell penetrated the soft flesh and became mountains surpasses in wonder all the marvels
embedded in it. At midday rocs and mighty vul- that men have seen or heard of. But first pray
tures would swoop down upon the mutton and accept some of these diamonds, which I myself
carry it away in their talons to their nests in the gathered in the fearful valley below.”
mountain heights. With a great clamor the mer- I took some splendid jewels from my pocket
chants would then rush at the birds and force and offered them to him, saying: “These will
them to drop the meat and fly away, after which bring you all the riches you can desire.”
it would only remain to look through the carcasses The owner of the bait was overjoyed at the
and pick out the diamonds. unexpected gift; he warmly thanked me and
As I recalled this story a plan of escape called down blessings upon me. Whilst we were
formed in my mind. I selected a great quantity of thus talking, several other merchants came up
priceless stones and hid them all about me, filling from the mountain-side. They crowded round us,
my pockets with them and pressing them into the listening in amazement to my story, and congrat-
folds of my belt and garments. Then I unrolled ulated me, saying: “By Allah, your escape was a
my turban, stuffed it with more diamonds, twisted miracle; for no man has ever set foot in that val-
it into a rope as I had done before, and, lying ley and returned alive. Allah alone be praised for
down below the carcass, bound it firmly to my your salvation.”
WORDS TO KNOW
586 tumult (tLPmOltQ) n. a disorderly noisiness or disturbance
Illustration by Edmund Dulac.

HUMANITIES CONNECTION Edmund Dulac (1882–1953) was one of the most

successful and best-loved book illustrators of all time. His works were among
the first to be reproduced using the process of color separation, which yields
colors faithful to the original.

THE SECOND VOYAGE OF SINDBAD THE SAILOR 587

 the heat of the sun and, dripping down into the
karkadan’s eyes, puts out its sight, so that the
From far beast blunders helplessly along and finally drops
an dead. Then the roc swoops down upon both
dn
ea animals and carries them off to its nest in the
to hear m r m
en c a m e
es high mountains. I also saw many strange breeds
pe
ak of buffalo in that island.
ventures an of
dt my I sold a part of my diamonds for a large
ol
sum and exchanged more for a vast quantity of
of foreign rn
lan the news merchandise. Then we set sail and, trading from
ds port to port and from island to island, at length
fr
o m me. arrived safely in Basrah. After a few days’
sojourn5 there I set out upstream to Baghdad,
the City of Peace.
The merchants then led me to their tent.
Loaded with precious goods and the finest of
They gave me food and drink and there I slept
my diamonds, I hastened to my old street and,
soundly for many hours. Early next day we set
entering my own house, rejoiced to see my
out from our tent and, after journeying over a
friends and kinsfolk. I gave them gold and
vast range of mountains, came at length to the
presents, and distributed alms among the poor
seashore. After a short voyage we arrived in a
of the city.
pleasant, densely wooded island, covered with
I soon forgot the perils and hardships of my
trees so huge that beneath one of them a hun-
travels and took again to sumptuous living.
dred men could shelter from the sun. It is from
I ate well, dressed well, and kept open house
these trees that the aromatic substance known as
for innumerable gallants and boon companions.6
camphor is extracted. The trunks are hollowed
From far and near men came to hear me
out, and the sap oozes drop by drop into vessels
speak of my adventures and to learn the news
which are placed beneath, soon curdling into a
of foreign lands from me. All were astounded
crystal gum.
at the dangers I had escaped and wished me joy
In that island I saw a gigantic beast called the
of my return. Such was my second voyage.
karkadan,4 or rhinoceros, which grazes in the
Tomorrow, my friends, if Allah wills, I shall
fields like a cow or buffalo. Taller than a camel,
relate to you the extraordinary tale of my third
it has a single horn in the middle of its forehead,
voyage. ❖
and upon this horn Nature has carved the
likeness of a man. The karkadan attacks the
4. karkadan (kärPkE-dBnQ).
elephant and, impaling it upon its horn, carries
5. sojourn: a brief stay or visit.
it aloft from place to place until its victim dies.
6. gallants (gE-lBntsP) and boon companions: fashionably
Before long, however, the elephant’s fat melts in dressed men and pleasant, merry companions.

WORDS TO KNOW
sumptuous (sOmpPchL-Es) adj. costly; magnificent

588 UNIT FOUR PART 1: PERSIAN AND ARABIC LITERATURE