I entered the town and passed through the several
streets, wherein men stood everywhere in various attitudes, but all
motionless and petrified. On that side where the merchants lived I
found most of the shops shut, and in such as were open I likewise
found the people petrified. I looked up to the chimneys, but saw no
smoke; which made me conjecture that the inhabitants both within
and without were all turned into stone.
Being come into a vast square in the heart of the city, I perceived
a great gate covered with plates of gold, the two doors of which
stood open, and a curtain of silk stuff seemed to be drawn before
it; I also saw a lamp hanging over the gate. After I had well
considered, I made no doubt but that it was the palace of the
prince who reigned over that country; and being very much
astonished that I had not met with one living creature, I went
thither in hopes to find some one. I entered the gate, and was
still more surprised when I saw none but the guards in the porches,
all petrified, some standing, some sitting, and some lying.
I crossed over a large court where I saw a stately building just
before me, the windows of which were enclosed with gates of massive
gold: I supposed it to be the queen's apartment, and went into a
large hall, where there stood several black chamberlains turned
into stone.
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