Know, O company, that after my return from my sixth voyage, which brought me abundant profit, I resumed my former life in all possible joy and enjoyment, merriment and merry making, day and night. I remained in this comfort and satisfaction for some time until my soul again began to long to sail the seas and see foreign countries and associate with merchants and hear new things. Having made up my mind, I packed precious goods suited for sea trade into bales and travelled from Baghdad city to Bassorah town. There I found a ship ready for sea with a company of considerable merchants aboard. I travelled with them, and we became friends. We set forth on our venture in health and safety, and sailed with a fair wind until we came to a city called Madinat-al-Sin.

After we left it, as we sailed on in all cheer and confidence, speaking of trade and travel, behold! A violent head wind arose and a tempest of rain fell upon us, drenching us and our goods. We covered the bales with our cloaks and garments, canvas and cloth, lest they be spoiled by the rain. We turned to prayer and supplication to Almighty Allah, humbling ourselves before Him to be delivered from the peril that threatened us.

But the captain rose, tightened his girdle, hitched up his skirts, and after taking refuge with Allah from Satan the Stoned, climbed the mast to look out. He gazed at the passengers and crew, then began striking his face and plucking out his beard. We cried to him, "Captain, what is the matter?"

He replied, "Seek deliverance from the Most High from the strait into which we have fallen. Mourn yourselves and bid one another farewell, for know that the wind has mastered us and driven us into the uttermost seas of the world."

He came down from the mast and, opening his sea chest, pulled out a bag of blue cotton. From it he took a powder like ashes, mixed it with a little water in a saucer, and after waiting a short time, smelled and tasted it. Then he took out a small book from the chest, read from it for a while, and spoke weeping, "Know, O you passengers, that in this book is a marvellous matter. Whoever comes to this place shall surely die without hope of escape. This ocean is called the Sea of the Clime of the King, and within it lies the sepulchre of our lord Solomon, son of David—peace be upon both! In these waters are serpents of vast size and fearsome aspect. Whenever a ship comes to these climes, a great fish rises from the sea and swallows her up with all and everyone aboard."

Great was our wonder at these words, but hardly had he finished speaking when the ship was lifted out of the water and let fall again. We prayed the death prayer and committed our souls to Allah. Presently, we heard a terrible cry like loud pealing thunder, which terrified us and left us as dead men, giving ourselves up for lost.

Then behold! There came up to us a huge fish, as big as a tall mountain. At the sight of it, we became wild with fear and wept bitterly, preparing for death and marvelling at its vast size and gruesome appearance. When lo! A second fish appeared that was even more monstrous than the first. So we lamented for our lives and bade one another farewell. But suddenly a third fish appeared, bigger than the two before. At its appearance, we lost all power of thought and reason and were stupefied with fear and horror.

The three fish began circling around the ship, and the third and biggest one opened its mouth to swallow us. We looked into its mouth—it was wider than the gate of a city, and its throat was like a long valley. We besought the Almighty and called for succor upon His Prophet—peace and blessing be upon him—when suddenly a violent squall of wind arose and struck the ship. The vessel was lifted out of the water and landed upon a great reef, the haunt of sea monsters, where it broke apart. Everything aboard was plunged into the sea.

As for me, I tore off all my clothes except my gown and swam a little way until I found one of the ship's planks. I clung to it and straddled it like a horse, while the winds and waters played with me and the waves tossed me up and cast me down. I was in a terrible state from fear, distress, hunger, and thirst. Then I reproached myself for what I had done. My soul was weary of a life of ease and comfort. I said to myself, "O Sindbad, O Seaman, you do not repent, yet you are ever suffering hardships and travails. Yet will you not renounce sea travel? If you say, 'I renounce it,' you lie. Endure then with patience what you suffer, for truly you deserve all that befalls you!"

When it was the Five Hundred and Sixty fourth night

Then I came to my senses and said, "In truth, this time I repent to the Most High with sincere repentance of my lust for gain and venture. Never will I again speak of travel with my tongue or in my thought."

I did not cease to humble myself before Almighty Allah and to weep and lament, recalling my former estate of comfort, satisfaction, mirth, and joy. Thus I remained for two days, at the end of which I came to a great island abounding in trees and streams. I landed and ate of the island's fruits and drank of its waters until I was refreshed. My life returned to me, and my strength and spirits were restored. I recited:

"Often when your case shows knotty and tangled, Fate sends from Heaven and straightens every ply: In patience keep your soul till clear your lot, For He who ties the knot can eke untie."

Then I walked about until I found on the far side a great river of fresh water running with a strong current. I remembered the boat raft I had made long ago and said to myself, "I must make another raft. Perhaps I can free myself from this strait. If I escape, I will have what I desire, and I vow to Allah Almighty to renounce travel. If I perish, I shall be at peace and rest from toil."

So I rose and gathered together great stores of pieces of wood from the trees, which were all of the finest sandalwood, though I did not know it then. I twisted creepers and tree twigs into a kind of rope and bound the billets together, contriving a raft. Then, saying, "If I be saved, it is by God's grace," I embarked on it and committed myself to the current. It bore me forward for the first day, the second day, and the third day after I left the island. I lay on the raft, eating not and drinking the river water only when I was thirsty, until I became weak and dizzy as a chicken from fatigue, hunger, and fear.

At the end of this time, I came to a high mountain beneath which the river ran. When I saw it, I feared for my life, remembering the straitness I had suffered on my former journey. I would have gladly stopped the raft and landed on the mountain side, but the current overpowered me and drew it into the subterranean passage like an archway. Then I gave myself up for lost and said, "There is no power and no strength save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great!"

However, after a little while, the raft glided into open air, and I saw before me a wide valley. The river fell into it with a noise like rolling thunder and a speed like the rushing of the wind. I held on to the raft for fear of falling off, while the waves tossed me right and left. The craft continued to descend with the current, and I could not stop it or turn it toward shore. Finally, it stopped with me at a great and goodly city, grandly built and filled with people.

When the townspeople saw me on the raft coming down with the current, they threw me ropes, but I did not have the strength to hold them. Then they cast a net over the craft and drew it ashore with me. I fell to the ground among them like a dead man from fear, hunger, and lack of sleep.

After a while, an old man of reverend aspect, well advanced in years, came to me from the crowd. He welcomed me and threw over me abundant handsome clothes to cover my nakedness. Then he carried me to the hammam—the public bath—and brought me cordial drinks and delicious perfumes. When I came out, he took me to his house, where his people treated me well. They seated me in a pleasant place and set rich food before me. I ate my fill and gave thanks to God the Most High for my deliverance.

His pages brought me hot water, and I washed my hands. His handmaids brought me silken napkins with which I dried them and wiped my mouth. The old man set apart for me an apartment in his house and charged his pages and slave girls to wait upon me and do my will and supply my needs. They were assiduous in their service. I remained with him in the guest chamber for three days, taking my ease with good eating, drinking, and fine scents. Life returned to me, my terrors subsided, my heart was calmed, and my mind was eased.

On the fourth day, the old man, my host, came to me and said, "You gladden us with your company, O my son, and praised be Allah for your safety! Tell me, will you now come with me to the beach and the market to see your goods and take their price? Perhaps you can buy merchandise to trade. I have ordered my servants to remove your goods from the sea, and they have piled them on the shore."

I was silent for a moment and said to myself, "What does he mean, and what goods do I have?" Then he said, "O my son, do not be troubled or worried. Come with me to the market. If any one offers for your goods a price that contents you, take it. But if you are not satisfied, I will store them in my warehouse against a fitting occasion for sale."

I thought about my situation and said to myself, "Do as he asks and see what these goods are." I said to him, "O uncle the old man, I hear and obey. I cannot go against you in anything, for Allah's blessing is upon all you do."

Accordingly, he guided me to the market street. There I found that he had broken up the raft that had carried me. It was made of sandalwood! I heard the broker crying it for sale.

When it was the Five Hundred and Sixty fifth night

"O my lord," I said, "the business is in your hands. Do as you will."

He asked, "Will you sell the wood to me, O my son, for a hundred gold pieces more than what the merchants have bid for it?" and I answered, "Yes, I have sold it to you for payment received."

He bade his servants transport the wood to his storehouses and, carrying me back to his house, seated me and counted out the purchase money to me. He put it in bags, placed them in a private place, and locked them with an iron padlock, giving me its key.

Some days after this, the old man said to me, "O my son, I have something to propose to you, in which I hope you will do my bidding."

I said, "What is it?"

He said, "I am a very old man and have no son. But I have a daughter who is young, fair, and endowed with abounding wealth and beauty. Now I have a mind to marry her to you, so that you may remain in this country with us. I will make you master of all that I have, for I am an old man, and you will stand in my stead."

I was silent from shame and made him no answer. He continued, "Please do as I ask, O my son, for I wish only for your welfare. If you will do as I say, you will have her at once and be as my son. All that is in my hands or that comes to me shall be yours. If you have a mind to trade and travel to your native land, none will hinder you, and your property will be at your sole disposal. So do as you will."

"By God, O my uncle," I replied, "you have become to me as a father, and I am a stranger who has undergone many hardships. Because of the stress of what I have suffered, nothing of judgment or knowledge is left to me. It is for you, therefore, to decide what I shall do."

Thereupon he sent his servants for the judge and the witnesses and married me to his daughter. He made for us a noble marriage feast and high festival. When I went in to her, I found her perfect in beauty, loveliness, symmetry, and grace. She was clad in rich raiment and covered with a profusion of ornaments, necklaces, and other trinkets of gold, silver, and precious stones, worth a fortune—a price none could pay. She pleased me, and we loved each other. I remained with her in all solace and delight of life.

Then her father was taken by the mercy of Allah Almighty. We shrouded him and buried him, and I took possession of all his property. All his servants and slaves became mine. Moreover, the merchants installed me in his office, for he had been their chief. None of them purchased anything except with his knowledge and by his leave. Now his rank passed to me.

When I became acquainted with the townspeople, I found that at the beginning of each month they were transformed. Their faces changed, and they became like birds. They put forth wings with which they flew to the upper regions of the sky. None remained in the city except the women and children. I said to myself, "When the first of the month comes, I will ask one of them to carry me with them, where they go."

So when the time came and their complexion changed and their forms altered, I went to one of the townspeople and said to him, "In God's name, carry me with you, so that I might enjoy myself with the rest and return with you."

"This may not be," he answered.

But I did not stop asking him, and I importuned him until he consented. Then I went out with him without telling any of my family, servants, or friends. He took me on his back and flew up with me so high in the air that I heard the angels glorifying God in the heavenly dome. I wondered and exclaimed, "Praised be Allah! Extolled be the perfection of Allah!"

Hardly had I finished saying the Tasbih—praised be Allah—when there came forth a fire from heaven and nearly consumed the company. They fled from it and descended with curses upon me. Casting me down on a high mountain, they went away, exceeding angry with me, and left me there alone.

Finding myself in this plight, I repented of what I had done and reproached myself for undertaking that which I was unable to bear, saying, "There is no power and no strength save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! No sooner am I delivered from one affliction than I fall into a worse one!"

I continued in this state, not knowing where I should go. Then lo! There came up to me two young men, as beautiful as moons, each carrying as a staff a rod of red gold. I approached and greeted them. When they returned my greeting, I said to them, "In God's name, tell me who you are and what you are!"

They said, "We are of the servants of the Most High Allah, abiding in this mountain." They gave me a rod of red gold they had with them and went their ways, leaving me.

I walked along the mountain ridge, staying my steps with the staff and pondering the case of the two youths. Then behold! A serpent came forth from under the mountain, with a man in her jaws, whom she had swallowed even to below his navel. He was crying out and saying, "Whoever delivers me, Allah will deliver him from all adversity!"

So I went up to the serpent and struck her on the head with the golden staff. She cast the man forth from her mouth.—

When it was the Five Hundred and Sixty sixth night

"And welcome," answered I.

We fared on along the mountain until we fell in with a company of folk. I looked and saw among them the very man who had carried me and cast me down there. I went up to him and spoke kindly, excusing myself and saying, "O my comrade, it is not thus that friend should deal with friend."

He said, "It was you who nearly destroyed us by your Tasbih and your glorifying God while on my back."

I said, "Pardon me, for I had no knowledge of this matter. But if you will take me with you, I swear not to say a word."

He relented and consented to carry me again, but he made an express condition that as long as I was on his back, I should abstain from the Tasbih or any glorifying of God.

Then I gave the golden wand to the man I had delivered from the serpent and bade him farewell. My friend took me on his back and flew with me as before, until he brought me to the city and set me down in my own house.

My wife came to meet me, greeted me, and gave me joy at my safety. Then she said, "Beware of going forth hereafter with that folk, neither consort with them, for they are brethren of the devils and know not how to mention the name of Allah Almighty. They do not worship Him."

"How did your father deal with them?" I asked.

"My father was not of them, neither did he act as they do," she answered. "Now that he is dead, I think you had better sell all we have and with the price buy merchandise and journey to your own country and people. I will go with you, for I care not to tarry in this city now that my father and mother are dead."

So I sold all the old man's property piecemeal and looked for someone journeying to Bassorah that I might join myself to him. While thus engaged, I heard of a company of townspeople who wished to make the voyage but could not find a ship. So they bought wood and built a great ship in which I took passage with them and paid all the hire.

Then my wife and I embarked with all our possessions, leaving our houses and estates, and set sail. We did not stop sailing from island to island and from sea to sea, with a fair wind and favourable weather, until we arrived at Bassorah safe and sound.

I made no stay there but hired another vessel and, transferring my goods to her, set out directly for Baghdad city, where I arrived in safety. I entered my quarter and repaired to my house, where I was reunited with my family, friends, and acquaintances. I stored all my goods in my warehouses.

When my people, who had reckoned the period of my absence on this seventh voyage to be twenty-seven years and had given up all hope of me, heard of my return, they came to welcome me and give me joy at my safety. I related to them all that had befallen me, and they marvelled exceedingly.

Then I forswore travel and vowed to Allah the Most High that I would venture no more by land or sea, for this seventh and last voyage had surfeited me of travel and adventure. I thanked the Lord, praised and glorified be He, and blessed Him for having restored me to my kin and country and home.

"Consider, therefore, O Sindbad, O Landsman," continued Sindbad the Seaman, "what sufferings I have undergone and what perils and hardships I have endured before coming to my present state."

"In God's name, O my lord!" answered Sindbad the Landsman, "forgive me the wrong I did you."

And they did not cease from friendship and fellowship, abiding in all cheer and pleasures, solace and contentment of life, until there came to them the Destroyer of delights and the Divider of societies, the Shatterer of palaces and the Caterer for cemeteries—that is to say, the Cup of Death. And glory be to the Living One who dies not!