Histoire d'Abdallah j Histoire d'ïïilpa

2. On the fifth day of the moon, which aecording to the custom of my forefaihers I always keep holy, after having washed myself, and offered up my morning dévotions, î ascended the high hills of Bagdad, in order to pass the rest of the day in méditation and prayer.« As I was hère airing myself on the tops of the mountains, 1 fell into a profound contemplation on the vanity of human life; and passing from one thought to another : Surely, said I, man is but a shadow and life a dream. V/hilst I wasthus musing, I cast my eyeâ towards the summit of a rock that was not far from me, where I discovered one in the habit of a shepherd, with a little musical instrument in his hand. As I looked upon him, he applied it to his hps, and began to play upon it. The sound of it was exceeding sweet, and wrought into a variety of tunes that were inexpressibly melodious, and altogether différent from any thing I had ever heard. They put me in mind of those heavenly airs that are played to the departed soûls of good men upon their first arrivai in paradise, to wear out the impressions of the last agonies, and qualify them for the pleasures ol that happy place. My heart melted away in secret raptures....

He then led me to the highest pinnacle of the rock, and placing me on the top of it : Cast thy eyes eastward, said he, and tell me wbal thou seest. — I see, said I, a huge valIey, and a prodigious tide of