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he sultan of the Indies could not but admire the
prodigious memory of the sultaness his wife, who had
entertained and diverted him so many nights, with such new
and agreeable stories, that he believed her stock inexhaustible.
A thousand and one nights had passed away in these agreeable
and innocent amusements; which contributed so much towards
removing the sultan's fatal prejudice against all women, and
sweetening the violence of his temper, that he conceived a great
esteem for the sultaness Scheherazade; and was convinced of
her merit and great wisdom, and remembered with what
courage she exposed herself voluntarily to be his wife, knowing
the fatal destiny of the many sultanesses before her.
These considerations, and the many rare qualities he knew her
to be mistress of, induced him at last to forgive her. I see, lovely
Scheherazade, said he, that you can never be at a loss for __
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