Hitherto I had merely read of these things.

I knew them to be the decorations of opulence; and yet, as I viewed them, and remembered where and what I was on the same hour the preceding day, I could scarcely believe myself awake, or that my senses were not beguiled by some spell.
"Where," said I, "will this adventure terminate?
I rise on the morrow with the dawn and speed into the country.

When this night is remembered, how like a vision will it appear! If I tell the tale by a kitchen-fire, my veracity will be disputed.

I shall be ranked with the story-tellers of Shiraz and Bagdad." Though busied in these reflections, I was not inattentive to the progress of time.

Methought my companion was remarkably dilatory.