He invited me to dine with him every Thursday, and undertook to send me a janissary who would protect me from the insults of the rabble and shew me everything worth seeing.
The cardinal's letter representing me as a literary man, the pacha observed that I ought to see his library.

I followed him through the garden, and we entered a room furnished with grated cupboards; curtains could be seen behind the wirework; the books were most likely behind the curtains.
Taking a key out of his pocket, he opened one of the cupboards, and, instead of folios, I saw long rows of bottles of the finest wines.

We both laughed heartily.
"Here are," said the pacha, "my library and my harem.

I am old, women would only shorten my life but good wine will prolong it, or at least, make it more agreeable.
"I imagine your excellency has obtained a dispensation from the mufti ?" "You are mistaken, for the Pope of the Turks is very far from enjoying as great a power as the Christian Pope.

He cannot in any case permit what is forbidden by the Koran; but everyone is at liberty to work out his own damnation if he likes.