“With all my heart,” says Mangogul: “but who is this same Philoxenus?”

“Prince,” replies Bloculocus, “he is a Greek author, who was very knowing in the subject of dreams.”

“Then you understand Greek?”

“Who I, Sir, not a syllable.”

“Have you not told me that you are translating Philoxenus, and that he wrote in Greek?”

“Yes, Sir; but in order to translate a language, it is not necessary to understand it: because translations are made for those only, who understand it not.”

“That is wonderful,” says the Sultan; “Signor Bloculocus, well then translate Greek without understanding it. I give you my word, that I will keep the secret, and it shall not make me honour you one jot the less.”