The caliph's present was a complete set of cloth of gold, valued at
one thousand sequins; fifty robes of rich stuff, a hundred others
of white cloth, the finest of Cairo, Suez, Cusa, and Alexandria; a
royal crimson bed, and a second of another fashion; a vessel of
agate broader than deep, an inch thick, and half a foot wide, the
bottom of which represented in bas-relief a man with one knee on
the ground, who held a bow and an arrow, ready to let fly at a
lion. He sent him also a rich table, which, according to tradition,
belonged to the great Solomon. The caliph's letter was as follows:
'Greeting in the name of the Sovereign Guide of the Right Way, to
the potent and happy Sultan, from Abdallah Haroun Alraschid, whom
God hath set in the place of honour, after his ancestors of happy
memory:
'We received your letter with joy, and send you this from the
council of our port, the garden of superior wits. We hope, when you
look upon it, you will find our good intention, and be pleased with
it. Farewell.'
The King of Serendib was highly pleased that the caliph returned
his friendship. A little time after this audience, I solicited
leave to depart, and had much difficulty to obtain it.
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