porque é que gosto de Sinbad, o marinheiro

As imagens exóticas, os símbolos, um outro mundo, ficções. Foi construída uma réplica do barco de Sinbad, o Sohar. Inevitavelmente essa réplica baseou-se numa descrição encontrada num documento português do século XVI. Antes que a Disney lá chegue, estes dias vão ser vividos com as sete viagens de Sindbad, o marinheiro.

Histórias e lendas antigas, com ecos de Homero: histórias persas com folklore indiano, histórias de Badgade do século X e histórias da idade média no Egipto. Contadas e recontadas, registadas muitas vezes. Apenas o romantismo as fixou, Galland e Burton, o exotismo paternalista de uma Europa que ocupava a terra de origem dos mitos que importava. A origem deverá estar por volta do ano oitocentos. E daqui levo algumas janelas: "The Thousand and Second Tale of Scheherazade" de Poe, as mil e uma versões dos contos de Scheherazade. Truth is stranger than fiction. ("By the way, are you aware that Godwin wrote his 'Caleb Williams' backwards?" em Philosophy of Composition)

'I am a very old man, and have not been blessed with a son,' went on my benefactor. 'Yet I have a young and beautiful daughter, who on my death will be sole mistress of my fortune. If you will have her for your wife, you will inherit my wealth and become chief of the merchants of this city.'
I readily consented to the sheikh's proposal. A sumptuous feast was held, a cadi and witnesses were called in, and I was married to the old man's daughter amidst great rejoicings. When the wedding guests had departed I was conducted to the bridal chamber, where I was allowed to see my wife for the first time. I found her incomparably beautiful, and rejoiced to see her decked with the rarest pearls and jewels.
My wife and I grew to love each other dearly, and we lived together in hapiness and contentment. Not long afterwards my wife's father died, and I inherited all his possessions. His slaves became my slaves and his goods my goods, and the merchants of the city appointed me their chief in his place.
One day, however, I discovered that every year the people of that land experienced a wondrous change in their bodies. All the men grew wings upon their shoulders and for a whole day flew high up in the air, leaving their wives and children behind. Amazed at this prodigy, I importuned one of my friends to allow me to cling to him when he next took his flight, and at length prevailed on him to let me try this novel adventure. When the long-awaited day arrived, I took tight hold of my friend's waist and was at once carried up swiftly in the air. We climbed higher and higher into the void until I could hear the angels in their choirs singing hymns to Allah under the vault of heaven. Moved with awe, I cried: 'Glory and praise eternal be to Allah, King of the Universe!'
Scarcely had I uttered theses words when my winged carrier dropped headlong through the air and finally alighted on the top of a high mountain. There he threw me off his back and took to the air again, calling down curses on my head. Abandoned upon this desolate mountain, I lifted my hands in despair and cried: 'There is no strength or help save in Allah! Every time I escape from one ordeal I find myself in another as grievous. Surely I deserve all that befalls me!'
Whilst I was thus reflecting upon my plight, I saw two youths coming up towards me. Their faces shone with an unearthly beauty, and each held a staff of red gold in his hand. I at once rose to my feet, and, walking towards them, wished them peace. They returned my greetings courteously, and I inquired: 'Who are you, pray, and what object has brought you to this barren mountain?'
'We are worshippers of the True God,' they replied. With this, one of the youths pointed to a certain path upon the mountain and, handing me his staff, walked away with his companion.
Bewildered at these words, I set off in the direction he had indicated, leaning upon my gold staff as I walked. I had not gone far when I saw coming towards me the flyer who had so unceremoniously set me down upon the mountain. Determined to learn the reason of his displeasure, I went up to him and said gently: 'Is this how friends behave to friends?'
The winged man, who was now no longer angry, replied: 'Know that my fall was caused by your unfortunate mention of your god. The word has this effect upon us all, and this is why we never utten it.'
I assured my friend that I had meant no harm and promised to commit no such transgression in the future. Then I begged him to carry me back to the city. He took me upon his shoulders and in a few moments set me down before my own house.
My wife was overjoyed at my return, and when I told her of my adventure, she said: 'We must no longer stay among these people. Know that they are the brothers of Satan and have no knowledge of the True God.?
'How then did your father dwell amongst them?' I asked.
'My father was of an alien race,' she replied. 'He shared none of their creeds, and he did not lead their life. As he is now dead, let us sell our possessions and leave this blasphemous city.'
Thereupon I resolved to return home. We sold our houses and other property, and hiring a vessel set sail with a rich cargo.
Aided by a favouring wind, we voyaged many days and nights and at length came to Basrah and thence to Baghdad, the City of Peace. I conveyed to my stores the valuables I had brought with me, and, taking my wife to my own house in my old street, rejoiced to meet my kinsfolk and my old companions. They told me that this voyage had kept me abroad for nearly twenty-seven years, and marvelled excedingly at all that had befallen me.
I rendered deep thanks to Allah for bringing me safely back to my friends and kinsfolk, and solemnly vowed never to travel again by sea or by land. Such, dear guests, was the last and longest of my voyages.

When the evening feast was ended, Sindbad the Sailor gave Sindbad the Porter a hundred pieces of gold, which he took with thanks and blessings and departed, marvelling at all he had heard.
The porter remained a constant visitor at the house of his illustrious friend, and the two lived in amity and peace until there came to them the Spoiler of wordly mansions, the Dark Steward of the graveyard; the Shadow which dissolves the bonds of friendship and ends alike all joys and all sorrows."

"The Last Voyage of Sindbad the Sailor",translated and abridged, by N.J. Dawood, for Penguin's 60s.