The husband walked at the head
of the company, and followed the corpse. They went up to a high
mountain, and when they came thither, took up a great stone, which
covered the mouth of a very deep pit, and let down the corpse, with
all its apparel and jewels. Then the husband, embracing his kindred
and friends, suffered himself to be put into another open coffin
without resistance, with a pot of water, and seven little loaves,
and was let down in the same manner as they let down his wife. The
mountain was pretty long, and reached to the sea. The ceremony
being over, they covered the hole again with the stone, and
returned.
It is needless to say that I was the only melancholy spectator of
this funeral, whereas the rest were scarcely moved at it, the
practice was so customary to them. I could not forbear speaking my
thoughts on this matter to the king. 'Sir,' said I, 'I cannot but
wonder at the strange custom in this country of burying the living
with the dead. I have been a great traveller, and seen many
countries, but never heard of so cruel a law.'
'What do you mean, Sinbad?' said the king; 'it is a common law. I
shall be interred with the queen, my wife, if she die first.
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