After her death I persisted with
constancy in this belief; and I abhor the false god Nardoun, and
the adoration of fire.
'It is about three years and some months ago that a thundering
voice was heard, all of a sudden, so distinctly, through the whole
city that nobody could miss hearing it. The words were these:
"Inhabitants, abandon the worship of Nardoun, and of fire, and
worship the only God that shows mercy."
'This voice was heard for three years successively, but nobody was
converted: so on the last day of the year, at four o'clock in the
morning, all the inhabitants were changed in an instant into stone,
every one in the same condition and posture they happened to be
then in. The king, my father, had the same fate, for he was
metamorphosed into a black stone, as he is to be seen in this
palace; and the queen, my mother, had the like destiny.
'I am the only person that did not suffer under that heavy
judgment, and ever since I have continued to serve God with more
fervency than before. I am persuaded, dear lady, that He has sent
you hither for my comfort, for which I render Him infinite thanks;
for I must own that this solitary life is very unpleasant.'
'Prince,' said I, 'there is no doubt that Providence hath brought
me into your port to present you with an opportunity of withdrawing
from this dismal place.
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