Amiga CD32/Amiga CD32 1994 - Brilliant PD Games.iso/literature/50.arab.4

Text File | 1994-05-11 | 115KB | 2,988 lines

The Adventures of Prince Camaralzaman and the
Princess Badoura


Some twenty days' sail from the coast of Persia
lies the isle of the children of Khaledan.  The
island is divided into several provinces, in each
of which are large flourishing towns, and the
whole forms an important kingdom.  It was governed
in former days by a king named Schahzaman, who,
with good right, considered himself one of the
most peaceful, prosperous, and fortunate monarchs
on the earth.  In fact, he had but one grievance,
which was that none of his four wives had given
him an heir.

This distressed him so greatly that one day he
confided his grief to the grand-vizir, who, being
a wise counsellor, said:  "Such matters are indeed
beyond human aid.  Allah alone can grant your
desire, and I should advise you, sire, to send
large gifts to those holy men who spend their
lives in prayer, and to beg for their
intercessions.  Who knows whether their petitions
may not be answered!"

The king took his vizir's advice, and the result
of so many prayers for an heir to the throne was
that a son was born to him the following year.

Schahzaman sent noble gifts as thank offerings to
all the mosques and religious houses, and great
rejoicings were celebrated in honour of the birth
of the little prince, who was so beautiful that he
was named Camaralzaman, or "Moon of the Century."

Prince Camaralzaman was brought up with extreme
care by an excellent governor and all the
cleverest teachers, and he did such credit to them
that when he was grown up, a more charming and
accomplished young man was not to be found.
Whilst he was still a youth the king, his father,
who loved him dearly, had some thoughts of
abdicating in his favour.  As usual he talked over
his plans with his grand-vizir, who, though he did
not approve the idea, would not state all his
objections.

"Sire," he replied, "the prince is still very
young for the cares of state.  Your Majesty fears
his growing idle and careless, and doubtless you
are right.  But how would it be if he were first
to marry?  This would attach him to his home, and
your Majesty might give him a share in your
counsels, so that he might gradually learn how to
wear a crown, which you can give up to him
whenever you find him capable of wearing it."

The vizir's advice once more struck the king as
being good, and he sent for his son, who lost no
time in obeying the summons, and standing
respectfully with downcast eyes before the king
asked for his commands.

"I have sent for you," said the king, "to say that
I wish you to marry.  What do you think about it?"

The prince was so much overcome by these words
that he remained silent for some time.  At length
he said:  "Sire, I beg you to pardon me if I am
unable to reply as you might wish.  I certainly
did not expect such a proposal as I am still so
young, and I confess that the idea of marrying is
very distasteful to me.  Possibly I may not always
be in this mind, but I certainly feel that it will
require some time to induce me to take the step
which your Majesty desires."

This answer greatly distressed the king, who was
sincerely grieved by his objection to marriage.
However he would not have recourse to extreme
measures, so he said:  "I do not wish to force
you; I will give you time to reflect, but remember
that such a step is necessary, for a prince such
as you who will some day be called to rule over a
great kingdom."

From this time Prince Camaralzaman was admitted to
the royal council, and the king showed him every
mark of favour.

At the end of a year the king took his son aside,
and said:  "Well, my son, have you changed your
mind on the subject of marriage, or do you still
refuse to obey my wish?"

The prince was less surprised but no less firm
than on the former occasion, and begged his father
not to press the subject, adding that it was quite
useless to urge him any longer.

This answer much distressed the king, who again
confided his trouble to his vizir.

"I have followed your advice," he said; "but
Camaralzaman declines to marry, and is more
obstinate than ever."

"Sire," replied the vizir, "much is gained by
patience, and your Majesty might regret any
violence.  Why not wait another year and then
inform the Prince in the midst of the assembled
council that the good of the state demands his
marriage?  He cannot possibly refuse again before
so distinguished an assemblage, and in our
immediate presence."

The Sultan ardently desired to see his son married
at once, but he yielded to the vizir's arguments
and decided to wait.  He then visited the prince's
mother, and after telling her of his
disappointment and of the further respite he had
given his son, he added:  "I know that
Camaralzaman confides more in you than he does in
me.  Pray speak very seriously to him on this
subject, and make him realize that he will most
seriously displease me if he remains obstinate,
and that he will certainly regret the measures I
shall be obliged to take to enforce my will."

So the first time the Sultana Fatima saw her son
she told him she had heard of his refusal to
marry, adding how distressed she felt that he
should have vexed his father so much.  She asked
what reasons he could have for his objections to
obey.

"Madam," replied the prince, "I make no doubt that
there are as many good, virtuous, sweet, and
amiable women as there are others very much the
reverse.  Would that all were like you!  But what
revolts me is the idea of marrying a woman without
knowing anything at all about her.  My father will
ask the hand of the daughter of some neighbouring
sovereign, who will give his consent to our union.
Be she fair or frightful, clever or stupid, good
or bad, I must marry her, and am left no choice in
the matter.  How am I to know that she will not be
proud, passionate, contemptuous, and recklessly
extravagant, or that her disposition will in any
way suit mine?"

"But, my son," urged Fatima, "you surely do not
wish to be the last of a race which has reigned so
long and so gloriously over this kingdom?"

"Madam," said the prince, "I have no wish to
survive the king, my father, but should I do so I
will try to reign in such a manner as may be
considered worthy of my predecessors."

These and similar conversations proved to the
Sultan how useless it was to argue with his son,
and the year elapsed without bringing any change
in the prince's ideas.

At length a day came when the Sultan summoned him
before the council, and there informed him that
not only his own wishes but the good of the empire
demanded his marriage, and desired him to give his
answer before the assembled ministers.

At this Camaralzaman grew so angry and spoke with
so much heat that the king, naturally irritated at
being opposed by his son in full council, ordered
the prince to be arrested and locked up in an old
tower, where he had nothing but a very little
furniture, a few books, and a single slave to wait
on him.

Camaralzaman, pleased to be free to enjoy his
books, showed himself very indifferent to his
sentence.

When night came he washed himself, performed his
devotions, and, having read some pages of the
Koran, lay down on a couch, without putting out
the light near him, and was soon asleep.

Now there was a deep well in the tower in which
Prince Camaralzaman was imprisoned, and this well
was a favourite resort of the fairy Maimoune,
daughter of Damriat, chief of a legion of genii.
Towards midnight Maimoune floated lightly up from
the well, intending, according to her usual habit,
to roam about the upper world as curiosity or
accident might prompt.

The light in the prince's room surprised her, and
without disturbing the slave, who slept across the
threshold, she entered the room, and approaching
the bed was still more astonished to find it
occupied.

The prince lay with his face half hidden by the
coverlet.  Maimoune lifted it a little and beheld
the most beautiful youth she had ever seen.

"What a marvel of beauty he must be when his eyes
are open!" she thought.  "What can he have done to
deserve to be treated like this?"

She could not weary gazing at Camaralzaman, but at
length, having softly kissed his brow and each
cheek, she replaced the coverlet and resumed her
flight through the air.

As she entered the middle region she heard the
sound of great wings coming towards her, and
shortly met one of the race of bad genii.  This
genie, whose name was Danhasch, recognised
Maimoune with terror, for he knew the supremacy
which her goodness gave her over him.  He would
gladly have avoided her altogether, but they were
so near that he must either be prepared to fight
or yield to her, so he at once addressed her in a
conciliatory tone:

"Good Maimoune, swear to me by Allah to do me no
harm, and on my side I will promise not to injure
you."

"Accursed genie!" replied Maimoune, "what harm can
you do me?  But I will grant your power and give
the promise you ask.  And now tell me what you
have seen and done to-night."

"Fair lady," said Danhasch, "you meet me at the
right moment to hear something really interesting.
I must tell you that I come from the furthest end
of China, which is one of the largest and most
powerful kingdoms in the world.  The present king
has one only daughter, who is so perfectly lovely
that neither you, nor I, nor any other creature
could find adequate terms in which to describe her
marvellous charms.  You must therefore picture to
yourself the most perfect features, joined to a
brilliant and delicate complexion, and an
enchanting expression, and even then imagination
will fall short of the reality."

"The king, her father, has carefully shielded this
treasure from the vulgar gaze, and has taken every
precaution to keep her from the sight of everyone
except the happy mortal he may choose to be her
husband.  But in order to give her variety in her
confinement he has built her seven palaces such as
have never been seen before.  The first palace is
entirely composed of rock crystal, the second of
bronze, the third of fine steel, the fourth of
another and more precious species of bronze, the
fifth of touchstone, the sixth of silver, and the
seventh of solid gold.  They are all most
sumptuously furnished, whilst the gardens
surrounding them are laid out with exquisite
taste.  In fact, neither trouble nor cost has been
spared to make this retreat agreeable to the
princess.  The report of her wonderful beauty has
spread far and wide, and many powerful kings have
sent embassies to ask her hand in marriage.  The
king has always received these embassies
graciously, but says that he will never oblige the
princess to marry against her will, and as she
regularly declines each fresh proposal, the envoys
have had to leave as disappointed in the result of
their missions as they were gratified by their
magnificent receptions.

"Sire," said the princess to her father, "you wish
me to marry, and I know you desire to please me,
for which I am very grateful.  But, indeed, I have
no inclination to change my state, for where could
I find so happy a life amidst so many beautiful
and delightful surroundings?  I feel that I could
never be as happy with any husband as I am here,
and I beg you not to press one on me."

"At last an embassy came from a king so rich and
powerful that the King of China felt constrained
to urge this suit on his daughter.  He told her
how important such an alliance would be, and
pressed her to consent.  In fact, he pressed her
so persistingly that the princess at length lost
her temper and quite forgot the respect due to her
father.  "Sire," cried she angrily, "do not speak
further of this or any other marriage or I will
plunge this dagger in my breast and so escape from
all these importunities."

"The king of China was extremely indignant with
his daughter and replied:  "You have lost your
senses and you must be treated accordingly." So he
had her shut in one set of rooms in one of her
palaces, and only allowed her ten old women, of
whom her nurse was the head, to wait on her and
keep her company.  He next sent letters to all the
kings who had sued for the princess's hand,
begging they would think of her no longer, as she
was quite insane, and he desired his various
envoys to make it known that anyone who could cure
her should have her to wife.

"Fair Maimoune," continued Danhasch, "this is the
present state of affairs.  I never pass a day
without going to gaze on this incomparable beauty,
and I am sure that if you would only accompany me
you would think the sight well worth the trouble,
and own that you never saw such loveliness
before."

The fairy only answered with a peal of laughter,
and when at length she had control of her voice
she cried, "Oh, come, you are making game of me!
I thought you had something really interesting to
tell me instead of raving about some unknown
damsel.  What would you say if you could see the
prince I have just been looking at and whose
beauty is really transcendent?  That is something
worth talking about, you would certainly quite
lose your head."

"Charming Maimoune," asked Danhasch, "may I
inquire who and what is the prince of whom you
speak?"

"Know," replied Maimoune, "that he is in much the
same case as your princess.  The king, his father,
wanted to force him to marry, and on the prince's
refusal to obey he has been imprisoned in an old
tower where I have just seen him."

"I don't like to contradict a lady," said
Danhasch, "but you must really permit me to doubt
any mortal being as beautiful as my princess."

"Hold your tongue," cried Maimoune.  "I repeat
that is impossible."

"Well, I don't wish to seem obstinate," replied
Danhasch, "the best plan to test the truth of what
I say will be for you to let me take you to see
the princess for yourself."

"There is no need for that," retorted Maimoune;
"we can satisfy ourselves in another way.  Bring
your princess here and lay her down beside my
prince.  We can then compare them at leisure, and
decide which is in the right."

Danhasch readily consented, and after having the
tower where the prince was confined pointed out to
him, and making a wager with Maimoune as to the
result of the comparison, he flew off to China to
fetch the princess.

In an incredibly short time Danhasch returned,
bearing the sleeping princess.  Maimoune led him
to the prince's room, and the rival beauty was
placed beside him.

When the prince and princess lay thus side by
side, an animated dispute as to their respective
charms arose between the fairy and the genius.
Danhasch began by saying:

"Now you see that my princess is more beautiful
than your prince.  Can you doubt any longer?"

"Doubt!  Of course I do!" exclaimed Maimoune.
"Why, you must be blind not to see how much my
prince excels your princess.  I do not deny that
your princess is very handsome, but only look and
you must own that I am in the right."

"There is no need for me to look longer," said
Danhasch, "my first impression will remain the
same; but of course, charming Maimoune, I am ready
to yield to you if you insist on it."

"By no means," replied Maimoune.  "I have no idea
of being under any obligation to an accursed
genius like you.  I refer the matter to an umpire,
and shall expect you to submit to his verdict."

Danhasch readily agreed, and on Maimoune striking
the floor with her foot it opened, and a hideous,
hump-backed, lame, squinting genius, with six
horns on his head, hands like claws, emerged.  As
soon as he beheld Maimoune he threw himself at her
feet and asked her commands.

"Rise, Caschcasch," said she.  "I summoned you to
judge between me and Danhasch.  Glance at that
couch, and say without any partiality whether you
think the youth or the maiden lying there the more
beautiful."

Caschcasch looked at the prince and princess with
every token of surprise and admiration.  At
length, having gazed long without being able to
come to a decision, he said

"Madam, I must confess that I should deceive you
were I to declare one to be handsomer than the
other.  There seems to me only one way in which to
decide the matter, and that is to wake one after
the other and judge which of them expresses the
greater admiration for the other."

This advice pleased Maimoune and Danhasch, and the
fairy at once transformed herself into the shape
of a gnat and settling on Camaralzaman's throat
stung him so sharply that he awoke.  As he did so
his eyes fell on the Princess of China.  Surprised
at finding a lady so near him, he raised himself
on one arm to look at her.  The youth and beauty
of the princess at once awoke a feeling to which
his heart had as yet been a stranger, and he could
not restrain his delight.

"What loveliness!  What charms!  Oh, my heart, my
soul!" he exclaimed, as he kissed her forehead,
her eyes and mouth in a way which would certainly
have roused her had not the genie's enchantments
kept her asleep.

"How, fair lady!" he cried, "you do not wake at
the signs of Camaralzaman's love?  Be you who you
may, he is not unworthy of you."

It then suddenly occurred to him, that perhaps
this was the bride his father had destined for
him, and that the King had probably had her placed
in this room in order to see how far
Camaralzaman's aversion to marriage would
withstand her charms.

"At all events," he thought, "I will take this
ring as a remembrance of her."

So saying he drew off a fine ring which the
princess wore on her finger, and replaced it by
one of his own.  After which he lay down again and
was soon fast asleep.

Then Danhasch, in his turn, took the form of a
gnat and bit the princess on her lip.

She started up, and was not a little amazed at
seeing a young man beside her.  From surprise she
soon passed to admiration, and then to delight on
perceiving how handsome and fascinating he was.

"Why," cried she, "was it you my father wished me
to marry?  How unlucky that I did not know sooner!
I should not have made him so angry.  But wake up!
wake up!  for I know I shall love you with all my
heart."

So saying she shook Camaralzaman so violently that
nothing but the spells of Maimoune could have
prevented his waking.

"Oh!" cried the princess.  "Why are you so
drowsy?" So saying she took his hand and noticed
her own ring on his finger, which made her wonder
still more.  But as he still remained in a
profound slumber she pressed a kiss on his cheek
and soon fell fast asleep too.

Then Maimoune turning to the genie said:  "Well,
are you satisfied that my prince surpasses your
princess?  Another time pray believe me when I
assert anything."

Then turning to Caschcasch:  "My thanks to you,
and now do you and Danhasch bear the princess back
to her own home."

The two genii hastened to obey, and Maimoune
returned to her well.

On waking next morning the first thing Prince
Camaralzaman did was to look round for the lovely
lady he had seen at night, and the next to
question the slave who waited on him about her.
But the slave persisted so strongly that he knew
nothing of any lady, and still less of how she got
into the tower, that the prince lost all patience,
and after giving him a good beating tied a rope
round him and ducked him in the well till the
unfortunate man cried out that he would tell
everything.  Then the prince drew him up all
dripping wet, but the slave begged leave to change
his clothes first, and as soon as the prince
consented hurried off just as he was to the
palace.  Here he found the king talking to the
grand-vizir of all the anxiety his son had caused
him.  The slave was admitted at once and cried:

"Alas, Sire!  I bring sad news to your Majesty.
There can be no doubt that the prince has
completely lost his senses.  He declares that he
saw a lady sleeping on his couch last night, and
the state you see me in proves how violent
contradiction makes him." He then gave a minute
account of all the prince had said and done.

The king, much moved, begged the vizir to examine
into this new misfortune, and the latter at once
went to the tower, where he found the prince
quietly reading a book.  After the first exchange
of greetings the vizir said:

"I feel really very angry with your slave for
alarming his Majesty by the news he brought him."

"What news?" asked the prince.

"Ah!" replied the vizir, "something absurd, I feel
sure, seeing how I find you."

"Most likely," said the prince; "but now that you
are here I am glad of the opportunity to ask you
where is the lady who slept in this room last
night?"

The grand-vizir felt beside himself at this
question.

"Prince!" he exclaimed, "how would it be possible
for any man, much less a woman, to enter this room
at night without walking over your slave on the
threshold?  Pray consider the matter, and you will
realise that you have been deeply impressed by
some dream."

But the prince angrily insisted on knowing who and
where the lady was, and was not to be persuaded by
all the vizir's protestations to the contrary that
the plot had not been one of his making.  At last,
losing patience, he seized the vizir by the beard
and loaded him with blows.

"Stop, Prince," cried the unhappy vizir, "stay and
hear what I have to say."

The prince, whose arm was getting tired, paused.

"I confess, Prince," said the vizir, "that there
is some foundation for what you say.  But you know
well that a minister has to carry out his master's
orders.  Allow me to go and to take to the king
any message you may choose to send."

"Very well," said the prince; "then go and tell
him that I consent to marry the lady whom he sent
or brought here last night.  Be quick and bring me
back his answer."

The vizir bowed to the ground and hastened to
leave the room and tower.

"Well," asked the king as soon as he appeared,
"and how did you find my son?"

"Alas, sire," was the reply, "the slave's report
is only too true!"

He then gave an exact account of his interview
with Camaralzaman and of the prince's fury when
told that it was not possible for any lady to have
entered his room, and of the treatment he himself
had received.  The king, much distressed,
determined to clear up the matter himself, and,
ordering the vizir to follow him, set out to visit
his son.

The prince received his father with profound
respect, and the king, making him sit beside him,
asked him several questions, to which Camaralzaman
replied with much good sense.  At last the king
said:  "My son, pray tell me about the lady who,
it is said, was in your room last night."

"Sire," replied the prince, "pray do not increase
my distress in this matter, but rather make me
happy by giving her to me in marriage.  However
much I may have objected to matrimony formerly,
the sight of this lovely girl has overcome all my
prejudices, and I will gratefully receive her from
your hands."

The king was almost speechless on hearing his son,
but after a time assured him most solemnly that he
knew nothing whatever about the lady in question,
and had not connived at her appearance.  He then
desired the prince to relate the whole story to
him.

Camaralzaman did so at great length, showed the
ring, and implored his father to help to find the
bride he so ardently desired.

"After all you tell me," remarked the king, "I can
no longer doubt your word; but how and whence the
lady came, or why she should have stayed so short
a time I cannot imagine.  The whole affair is
indeed mysterious.  Come, my dear son, let us wait
together for happier days."

So saying the king took Camaralzaman by the hand
and led him back to the palace, where the prince
took to his bed and gave himself up to despair,
and the king shutting himself up with his son
entirely neglected the affairs of state.

The prime minister, who was the only person
admitted, felt it his duty at last to tell the
king how much the court and all the people
complained of his seclusion, and how bad it was
for the nation.  He urged the sultan to remove
with the prince to a lovely little island close
by, whence he could easily attend public
audiences, and where the charming scenery and fine
air would do the invalid so much good as to enable
him to bear his father's occasional absence.

The king approved the plan, and as soon as the
castle on the island could be prepared for their
reception he and the prince arrived there,
Schahzaman never leaving his son except for the
prescribed public audiences twice a week.

Whilst all this was happening in the capital of
Schahzaman the two genii had carefully borne the
Princess of China back to her own palace and
replaced her in bed.  On waking next morning she
first turned from one side to another and then,
finding herself alone, called loudly for her
women.

"Tell me," she cried, "where is the young man I
love so dearly, and who slept near me last night?"

"Princess," exclaimed the nurse, "we cannot tell
what you allude to without more explanation."

"Why," continued the princess, "the most charming
and beautiful young man lay sleeping beside me
last night.  I did my utmost to wake him, but in
vain."

"Your Royal Highness wishes to make game of us,"
said the nurse.  "Is it your pleasure to rise?"

"I am quite in earnest," persisted the princess,
"and I want to know where he is."

"But, Princess," expostulated the nurse, "we left
you quite alone last night, and we have seen no
one enter your room since then."

At this the princess lost all patience, and taking
the nurse by her hair she boxed her ears soundly,
crying out:  "You shall tell me, you old witch, or
I'll kill you."

The nurse had no little trouble in escaping, and
hurried off to the queen, to whom she related the
whole story with tears in her eyes.

"You see, madam," she concluded, "that the
princess must be out of her mind.  If only you
will come and see her, you will be able to judge
for yourself."

The queen hurried to her daughter's apartments,
and after tenderly embracing her, asked her why
she had treated her nurse so badly.

"Madam," said the princess, "I perceive that your
Majesty wishes to make game of me, but I can
assure you that I will never marry anyone except
the charming young man whom I saw last night.  You
must know where he is, so pray send for him."

The queen was much surprised by these words, but
when she declared that she knew nothing whatever
of the matter the princess lost all respect, and
answered that if she were not allowed to marry as
she wished she should kill herself, and it was in
vain that the queen tried to pacify her and bring
her to reason.

The king himself came to hear the rights of the
matter, but the princess only persisted in her
story, and as a proof showed the ring on her
finger.  The king hardly knew what to make of it
all, but ended by thinking that his daughter was
more crazy than ever, and without further argument
he had her placed in still closer confinement,
with only her nurse to wait on her and a powerful
guard to keep the door.

Then he assembled his council, and having told
them the sad state of things, added:  "If any of
you can succeed in curing the princess, I will
give her to him in marriage, and he shall be my
heir."

An elderly emir present, fired with the desire to
possess a young and lovely wife and to rule over a
great kingdom, offered to try the magic arts with
which he was acquainted.

"You are welcome to try," said the king, "but I
make one condition, which is, that should you fail
you will lose your life."

The emir accepted the condition, and the king led
him to the princess, who, veiling her face,
remarked, "I am surprised, sire, that you should
bring an unknown man into my presence."

"You need not be shocked," said the king; "this is
one of my emirs who asks your hand in marriage."

"Sire," replied the princess, "this is not the one
you gave me before and whose ring I wear.  Permit
me to say that I can accept no other."

The emir, who had expected to hear the princess
talk nonsense, finding how calm and reasonable she
was, assured the king that he could not venture to
undertake a cure, but placed his head at his
Majesty's disposal, on which the justly irritated
monarch promptly had it cut off.

This was the first of many suitors for the
princess whose inability to cure her cost them
their lives.

Now it happened that after things had been going
on in this way for some time the nurse's son
Marzavan returned from his travels.  He had been
in many countries and learnt many things,
including astrology.  Needless to say that one of
the first things his mother told him was the sad
condition of the princess, his foster-sister.
Marzavan asked if she could not manage to let him
see the princess without the king's knowledge.

After some consideration his mother consented, and
even persuaded the eunuch on guard to make no
objection to Marzavan's entering the royal
apartment.

The princess was delighted to see her
foster-brother again, and after some conversation
she confided to him all her history and the cause
of her imprisonment.

Marzavan listened with downcast eyes and the
utmost attention.  When she had finished speaking
he said,

"If what you tell me, Princess, is indeed the
case, I do not despair of finding comfort for you.
Take patience yet a little longer.  I will set out
at once to explore other countries, and when you
hear of my return be sure that he for whom you
sigh is not far off." So saying, he took his leave
and started next morning on his travels.

Marzavan journeyed from city to city and from one
island and province to another, and wherever he
went he heard people talk of the strange story of
the Princess Badoura, as the Princess of China was
named.

After four months he reached a large populous
seaport town named Torf, and here he heard no more
of the Princess Badoura but a great deal of Prince
Camaralzaman, who was reported ill, and whose
story sounded very similar to that of the Princess
Badoura.

Marzavan was rejoiced, and set out at once for
Prince Camaralzaman's residence.  The ship on
which he embarked had a prosperous voyage till she
got within sight of the capital of King
Schahzaman, but when just about to enter the
harbour she suddenly struck on a rock, and
foundered within sight of the palace where the
prince was living with his father and the
grand-vizir.

Marzavan, who swam well, threw himself into the
sea and managed to land close to the palace, where
he was kindly received, and after having a change
of clothing given him was brought before the
grand-vizir.  The vizir was at once attracted by
the young man's superior air and intelligent
conversation, and perceiving that he had gained
much experience in the course of his travels, he
said, "Ah, how I wish you had learnt some secret
which might enable you to cure a malady which has
plunged this court into affliction for some time
past!"

Marzavan replied that if he knew what the illness
was he might possibly be able to suggest a remedy,
on which the vizir related to him the whole
history of Prince Camaralzaman.

On hearing this Marzavan rejoiced inwardly, for he
felt sure that he had at last discovered the
object of the Princess Badoura's infatuation.
However, he said nothing, but begged to be allowed
to see the prince.

On entering the royal apartment the first thing
which struck him was the prince himself, who lay
stretched out on his bed with his eyes closed.
The king sat near him, but, without paying any
regard to his presence, Marzavan exclaimed,
"Heavens!  what a striking likeness!" And, indeed,
there was a good deal of resemblance between the
features of Camaralzaman and those of the Princess
of China.

These words caused the prince to open his eyes
with languid curiosity, and Marzavan seized this
moment to pay him his compliments, contriving at
the same time to express the condition of the
Princess of China in terms unintelligible, indeed,
to the Sultan and his vizir, but which left the
prince in no doubt that his visitor could give him
some welcome information.

The prince begged his father to allow him the
favour of a private interview with Marzavan, and
the king was only too pleased to find his son
taking an interest in anyone or anything.  As soon
as they were left alone Marzavan told the prince
the story of the Princess Badoura and her
sufferings, adding, "I am convinced that you alone
can cure her; but before starting on so long a
journey you must be well and strong, so do your
best to recover as quickly as may be."

These words produced a great effect on the prince,
who was so much cheered by the hopes held out that
he declared he felt able to get up and be dressed.
The king was overjoyed at the result of Marzavan's
interview, and ordered public rejoicings in honour
of the prince's recovery.

Before long the prince was quite restored to his
original state of health, and as soon as he felt
himself really strong he took Marzavan aside and
said:

"Now is the time to perform your promise.  I am so
impatient to see my beloved princess once more
that I am sure I shall fall ill again if we do not
start soon.  The one obstacle is my father's
tender care of me, for, as you may have noticed,
he cannot bear me out of his sight."

"Prince," replied Marzavan, "I have already
thought over the matter, and this is what seems to
me the best plan.  You have not been out of doors
since my arrival.  Ask the king's permission to go
with me for two or three days' hunting, and when
he has given leave order two good horses to be
held ready for each of us.  Leave all the rest to
me."

Next day the prince seized a favourable
opportunity for making his request, and the king
gladly granted it on condition that only one night
should be spent out for fear of too great fatigue
after such a long illness.

Next morning Prince Camaralzaman and Marzavan were
off betimes, attended by two grooms leading the
two extra horses.  They hunted a little by the
way, but took care to get as far from the towns as
possible.  At night-fall they reached an inn,
where they supped and slept till midnight.  Then
Marzavan awoke and roused the prince without
disturbing anyone else.  He begged the prince to
give him the coat he had been wearing and to put
on another which they had brought with them.  They
mounted their second horses, and Marzavan led one
of the grooms' horses by the bridle.

By daybreak our travellers found themselves where
four cross roads met in the middle of the forest.
Here Marzavan begged the prince to wait for him,
and leading the groom's horse into a dense part of
the wood he cut its throat, dipped the prince's
coat in its blood, and having rejoined the prince
threw the coat on the ground where the roads
parted.

In answer to Camaralzaman's inquiries as to the
reason for this, Marzavan replied that the only
chance they had of continuing their journey was to
divert attention by creating the idea of the
prince's death.  "Your father will doubtless be
plunged in the deepest grief," he went on, "but
his joy at your return will be all the greater."

The prince and his companion now continued their
journey by land and sea, and as they had brought
plenty of money to defray their expenses they met
with no needless delays.  At length they reached
the capital of China, where they spent three days
in a suitable lodging to recover from their
fatigues.

During this time Marzavan had an astrologer's
dress prepared for the prince.  They then went to
the baths, after which the prince put on the
astrologer's robe and was conducted within sight
of the king's palace by Marzavan, who left him
there and went to consult his mother, the
princess's nurse.

Meantime the prince, according to Marzavan's
instructions, advanced close to the palace gates
and there proclaimed aloud:

"I am an astrologer and I come to restore health
to the Princess Badoura, daughter of the high and
mighty King of China, on the conditions laid down
by His Majesty of marrying her should I succeed,
or of losing my life if I fail."

It was some little time since anyone had presented
himself to run the terrible risk involved in
attempting to cure the princess, and a crowd soon
gathered round the prince.  On perceiving his
youth, good looks, and distinguished bearing,
everyone felt pity for him.

"What are you thinking of, sir," exclaimed some;
"why expose yourself to certain death?  Are not
the heads you see exposed on the town wall
sufficient warning?  For mercy's sake give up this
mad idea and retire whilst you can."

But the prince remained firm, and only repeated
his cry with greater assurance, to the horror of
the crowd.

"He is resolved to die!" they cried; "may heaven
have pity on him!"

Camaralzaman now called out for the third time,
and at last the grand-vizir himself came out and
fetched him in.

The prime minister led the prince to the king, who
was much struck by the noble air of this new
adventurer, and felt such pity for the fate so
evidently in store for him, that he tried to
persuade the young man to renounce his project.

But Camaralzaman politely yet firmly persisted in
his intentions, and at length the king desired the
eunuch who had the guard of the princess's
apartments to conduct the astrologer to her
presence.

The eunuch led the way through long passages, and
Camaralzaman followed rapidly, in haste to reach
the object of his desires.  At last they came to a
large hall which was the ante-room to the
princess's chamber, and here Camaralzaman said to
the eunuch:

"Now you shall choose.  Shall I cure the princess
in her own presence, or shall I do it from here
without seeing her?"

The eunuch, who had expressed many contemptuous
doubts as they came along of the newcomer's
powers, was much surprised and said:

"If you really can cure, it is immaterial when you
do it.  Your fame will be equally great."

"Very well," replied the prince:  "then, impatient
though I am to see the princess, I will effect the
cure where I stand, the better to convince you of
my power." He accordingly drew out his writing
case and wrote as follows--"Adorable princess!
The enamoured Camaralzaman has never forgotten the
moment when, contemplating your sleeping beauty,
he gave you his heart.  As he was at that time
deprived of the happiness of conversing with you,
he ventured to give you his ring as a token of his
love, and to take yours in exchange, which he now
encloses in this letter.  Should you deign to
return it to him he will be the happiest of
mortals, if not he will cheerfully resign himself
to death, seeing he does so for love of you.  He
awaits your reply in your ante-room."

Having finished this note the prince carefully
enclosed the ring in it without letting the eunuch
see it, and gave him the letter, saying:

"Take this to your mistress, my friend, and if on
reading it and seeing its contents she is not
instantly cured, you may call me an impudent
impostor."

The eunuch at once passed into the princess's
room, and handing her the letter said:

"Madam, a new astrologer has arrived, who declares
that you will be cured as soon as you have read
this letter and seen what it contains."

The princess took the note and opened it with
languid indifference.  But no sooner did she see
her ring than, barely glancing at the writing, she
rose hastily and with one bound reached the
doorway and pushed back the hangings.  Here she
and the prince recognised each other, and in a
moment they were locked in each other's arms,
where they tenderly embraced, wondering how they
came to meet at last after so long a separation.
The nurse, who had hastened after her charge, drew
them back to the inner room, where the princess
restored her ring to Camaralzaman.

"Take it back," she said, "I could not keep it
without returning yours to you, and I am resolved
to wear that as long as I live."

Meantime the eunuch had hastened back to the king.
"Sire," he cried, "all the former doctors and
astrologers were mere quacks.  This man has cured
the princess without even seeing her." He then
told all to the king, who, overjoyed, hastened to
his daughter's apartments, where, after embracing
her, he placed her hand in that of the prince,
saying:

"Happy stranger, I keep my promise, and give you
my daughter to wife, be you who you may.  But, if
I am not much mistaken, your condition is above
what you appear to be."

The prince thanked the king in the warmest and
most respectful terms, and added:  "As regards my
person, your Majesty has rightly guessed that I am
not an astrologer.  It is but a disguise which I
assumed in order to merit your illustrious
alliance.  I am myself a prince, my name is
Camaralzaman, and my father is Schahzaman, King of
the Isles of the Children of Khaledan." He then
told his whole history, including the
extraordinary manner of his first seeing and
loving the Princess Badoura.

When he had finished the king exclaimed:  "So
remarkable a story must not be lost to posterity.
It shall be inscribed in the archives of my
kingdom and published everywhere abroad."

The wedding took place next day amidst great pomp
and rejoicings.  Marzavan was not forgotten, but
was given a lucrative post at court, with a
promise of further advancement.

The prince and princess were now entirely happy,
and months slipped by unconsciously in the
enjoyment of each other's society.

One night, however, Prince Camaralzaman dreamt
that he saw his father lying at the point of
death, and saying:  "Alas!  my son whom I loved so
tenderly, has deserted me and is now causing my
death."

The prince woke with such a groan as to startle
the princess, who asked what was the matter.

"Ah!" cried the prince, "at this very moment my
father is perhaps no more!" and he told his dream.

The princess said but little at the time, but next
morning she went to the king, and kissing his hand
said:

"I have a favour to ask of your Majesty, and I beg
you to believe that it is in no way prompted by my
husband.  It is that you will allow us both to
visit my father-in-law King Schahzaman."

Sorry though the king felt at the idea of parting
with his daughter, he felt her request to be so
reasonable that he could not refuse it, and made
but one condition, which was that she should only
spend one year at the court of King Schahzaman,
suggesting that in future the young couple should
visit their respective parents alternately.

The princess brought this good news to her
husband, who thanked her tenderly for this fresh
proof of her affection.

All preparations for the journey were now pressed
forwards, and when all was ready the king
accompanied the travellers for some days, after
which he took an affectionate leave of his
daughter, and charging the prince to take every
care of her, returned to his capital.

The prince and princess journeyed on, and at the
end of a month reached a huge meadow interspersed
with clumps of big trees which cast a most
pleasant shade.  As the heat was great,
Camaralzaman thought it well to encamp in this
cool spot.  Accordingly the tents were pitched,
and the princess entering hers whilst the prince
was giving his further orders, removed her girdle,
which she placed beside her, and desiring her
women to leave her, lay down and was soon asleep.

When the camp was all in order the prince entered
the tent and, seeing the princess asleep, he sat
down near her without speaking.  His eyes fell on
the girdle which, he took up, and whilst
inspecting the precious stones set in it he
noticed a little pouch sewn to the girdle and
fastened by a loop.  He touched it and felt
something hard within.  Curious as to what this
might be, he opened the pouch and found a
cornelian engraved with various figures and
strange characters.

"This cornelian must be something very precious,"
thought he, "or my wife would not wear it on her
person with so much care."

In truth it was a talisman which the Queen of
China had given her daughter, telling her it would
ensure her happiness as long as she carried it
about her.

The better to examine the stone the prince stepped
to the open doorway of the tent.  As he stood
there holding it in the open palm of his hand, a
bird suddenly swooped down, picked the stone up in
its beak and flew away with it.

Imagine the prince's dismay at losing a thing by
which his wife evidently set such store!

The bird having secured its prey flew off some
yards and alighted on the ground, holding the
talisman it its beak.  Prince Camaralzaman
advanced, hoping the bird would drop it, but as
soon as he approached the thief fluttered on a
little further still.  He continued his pursuit
till the bird suddenly swallowed the stone and
took a longer flight than before.  The prince then
hoped to kill it with a stone, but the more hotly
he pursued the further flew the bird.

In this fashion he was led on by hill and dale
through the entire day, and when night came the
tiresome creature roosted on the top of a very
high tree where it could rest in safety.

The prince in despair at all his useless trouble
began to think whether he had better return to the
camp.  "But," thought he, "how shall I find my way
back?  Must I go up hill or down?  I should
certainly lose my way in the dark, even if my
strength held out." Overwhelmed by hunger, thirst,
fatigue and sleep, he ended by spending the night
at the foot of the tree.

Next morning Camaralzaman woke up before the bird
left its perch, and no sooner did it take flight
than he followed it again with as little success
as the previous day, only stopping to eat some
herbs and fruit he found by the way.  In this
fashion he spent ten days, following the bird all
day and spending the night at the foot of a tree,
whilst it roosted on the topmost bough.  On the
eleventh day the bird and the prince reached a
large town, and as soon as they were close to its
walls the bird took a sudden and higher flight and
was shortly completely out of sight, whilst
Camaralzaman felt in despair at having to give up
all hopes of ever recovering the talisman of the
Princess Badoura.

Much cast down, he entered the town, which was
built near the sea and had a fine harbour.  He
walked about the streets for a long time, not
knowing where to go, but at length as he walked
near the seashore he found a garden door open and
walked in.

The gardener, a good old man, who was at work,
happened to look up, and, seeing a stranger, whom
he recognised by his dress as a Mussulman, he told
him to come in at once and to shut the door.

Camaralzaman did as he was bid, and inquired why
this precaution was taken.

"Because," said the gardener, "I see that you are
a stranger and a Mussulman, and this town is
almost entirely inhabited by idolaters, who hate
and persecute all of our faith.  It seems almost a
miracle that has led you to this house, and I am
indeed glad that you have found a place of
safety."

Camaralzaman warmly thanked the kind old man for
offering him shelter, and was about to say more,
but the gardener interrupted him with:

"Leave compliments alone.  You are weary and must
be hungry.  Come in, eat, and rest." So saying he
led the prince into his cottage, and after
satisfying his hunger begged to learn the cause of
his arrival.

Camaralzaman told him all without disguise, and
ended by inquiring the shortest way to his
father's capital.  "For," added he, "if I tried to
rejoin the princess, how should I find her after
eleven days' separation.  Perhaps, indeed, she may
be no longer alive!" At this terrible thought he
burst into tears.

The gardener informed Camaralzaman that they were
quite a year's land journey to any Mahomedan
country, but that there was a much shorter route
by sea to the Ebony Island, from whence the Isles
of the Children of Khaledan could be easily
reached, and that a ship sailed once a year for
the Ebony Island by which he might get so far as
his very home.

"If only you had arrived a few days sooner," he
said, "you might have embarked at once.  As it is
you must now wait till next year, but if you care
to stay with me I offer you my house, such as it
is, with all my heart."

Prince Camaralzaman thought himself lucky to find
some place of refuge, and gladly accepted the
gardener's offer.  He spent his days working in
the garden, and his nights thinking of and sighing
for his beloved wife.

Let us now see what had become during this time of
the Princess Badoura.

On first waking she was much surprised not to find
the prince near her.  She called her women and
asked if they knew where he was, and whilst they
were telling her that they had seen him enter the
tent, but had not noticed his leaving it, she took
up her belt and perceived that the little pouch
was open and the talisman gone.

She at once concluded that her husband had taken
it and would shortly bring it back.  She waited
for him till evening rather impatiently, and
wondering what could have kept him from her so
long.  When night came without him she felt in
despair and abused the talisman and its maker
roundly.  In spite of her grief and anxiety
however, she did not lose her presence of mind,
but decided on a courageous, though very unusual
step.

Only the princess and her women knew of
Camaralzaman's disappearance, for the rest of the
party were sleeping or resting in their tents.
Fearing some treason should the truth be known,
she ordered her women not to say a word which
would give rise to any suspicion, and proceeded to
change her dress for one of her husband's, to
whom, as has been already said, she bore a strong
likeness.

In this disguise she looked so like the prince
that when she gave orders next morning to break up
the camp and continue the journey no one suspected
the change.  She made one of her women enter her
litter, whilst she herself mounted on horseback
and the march began.

After a protracted journey by land and sea the
princess, still under the name and disguise of
Prince Camaralzaman, arrived at the capital of the
Ebony Island whose king was named Armanos.

No sooner did the king hear that the ship which
was just in port had on board the son of his old
friend and ally than he hurried to meet the
supposed prince, and had him and his retinue
brought to the palace, where they were lodged and
entertained sumptuously.

After three days, finding that his guest, to whom
he had taken a great fancy, talked of continuing
his journey, King Armanos said to him:

"Prince, I am now an old man, and unfortunately 1
have no son to whom to leave my kingdom.  It has
pleased Heaven to give me only one daughter, who
possesses such great beauty and charm that I could
only give her to a prince as highly born and as
accomplished as yourself.  Instead, therefore, of
returning to your own country, take my daughter
and my crown and stay with us.  I shall feel that
I have a worthy successor, and shall cheerfully
retire from the fatigues of government."

The king's offer was naturally rather embarrassing
to the Princess Badoura.  She felt that it was
equally impossible to confess that she had
deceived him, or to refuse the marriage on which
he had set his heart; a refusal which might turn
all his kindness to hatred and persecution.

All things considered, she decided to accept, and
after a few moments silence said with a blush,
which the king attributed to modesty:

"Sire, I feel so great an obligation for the good
opinion your Majesty has expressed for my person
and of the honour you do me, that, though I am
quite unworthy of it, I dare not refuse.  But,
sire, I can only accept such an alliance if you
give me your promise to assist me with your
counsels."

The marriage being thus arranged, the ceremony was
fixed for the following day, and the princess
employed the intervening time in informing the
officers of her suite of what had happened,
assuring them that the Princess Badoura had given
her full consent to the marriage.  She also told
her women, and bade them keep her secret well.

King Armanos, delighted with the success of his
plans, lost no time in assembling his court and
council, to whom he presented his successor, and
placing his future son-in-law on the throne made
everyone do homage and take oaths of allegiance to
the new king.

At night the whole town was filled with
rejoicings, and with much pomp the Princess
Haiatelnefous (this was the name of the king's
daughter) was conducted to the palace of the
Princess Badoura.

Now Badoura had thought much of the difficulties
of her first interview with King Armanos'
daughter, and she felt the only thing to do was at
once to take her into her confidence.

Accordingly, as soon as they were alone she took
Haiatelnefous by the hand and said:

"Princess, I have a secret to tell you, and must
throw myself on your mercy.  I am not Prince
Camaralzaman, but a princess like yourself and his
wife, and I beg you to listen to my story, then I
am sure you will forgive my imposture, in
consideration of my sufferings."

She then related her whole history, and at its
close Haiatelnefous embraced her warmly, and
assured her of her entire sympathy and affection.

The two princesses now planned out their future
action, and agreed to combine to keep up the
deception and to let Badoura continue to play a
man's part until such time as there might be news
of the real Camaralzaman.

Whilst these things were passing in the Ebony
Island Prince Camaralzaman continued to find
shelter in the gardeners cottage in the town of
the idolaters.

Early one morning the gardener said to the prince:

"To-day is a public holiday, and the people of the
town not only do not work themselves but forbid
others to do so.  You had better therefore take a
good rest whilst I go to see some friends, and as
the time is near for the arrival of the ship of
which I told you I will make inquiries about it,
and try to bespeak a passage for you." He then put
on his best clothes and went out, leaving the
prince, who strolled into the garden and was soon
lost in thoughts of his dear wife and their sad
separation.

As he walked up and down he was suddenly disturbed
in his reverie by the noise two large birds were
making in a tree.

Camaralzaman stood still and looked up, and saw
that the birds were fighting so savagely with
beaks and claws that before long one fell dead to
the ground, whilst the conqueror spread his wings
and flew away.  Almost immediately two other
larger birds, who had been watching the duel, flew
up and alighted, one at the head and the other at
the feet of the dead bird.  They stood there some
time sadly shaking their heads, and then dug up a
grave with their claws in which they buried him.

As soon as they had filled in the grave the two
flew off, and ere long returned, bringing with
them the murderer, whom they held, one by a wing
and the other by a leg, with their beaks,
screaming and struggling with rage and terror.
But they held tight, and having brought him to his
victim's grave, they proceeded to kill him, after
which they tore open his body, scattered the
inside and once more flew away.

The prince, who had watched the whole scene with
much interest, now drew near the spot where it
happened, and glancing at the dead bird he noticed
something red lying near which had evidently
fallen out of its inside.  He picked it up, and
what was his surprise when he recognised the
Princess Badoura's talisman which had been the
cause of many misfortunes.  It would be impossible
to describe his joy; he kissed the talisman
repeatedly, wrapped it up, and carefully tied it
round his arm.  For the first time since his
separation from the princess he had a good night,
and next morning he was up at day-break and went
cheerfully to ask what work he should do.

The gardener told him to cut down an old fruit
tree which had quite died away, and Camaralzaman
took an axe and fell to vigorously.  As he was
hacking at one of the roots the axe struck on
something hard.  On pushing away the earth he
discovered a large slab of bronze, under which was
disclosed a staircase with ten steps.  He went
down them and found himself in a roomy kind of
cave in which stood fifty large bronze jars, each
with a cover on it.  The prince uncovered one
after another, and found them all filled with gold
dust.  Delighted with his discovery he left the
cave, replaced the slab, and having finished
cutting down the tree waited for the gardener's
return.

The gardener had heard the night before that the
ship about which he was inquiring would start ere
long, but the exact date not being yet known he
had been told to return next day for further
information.  He had gone therefore to inquire,
and came back with good news beaming in his face.

"My son," said he, "rejoice and hold yourself
ready to start in three days' time.  The ship is
to set sail, and I have arranged all about your
passage with the captain

"You could not bring me better news," replied
Camaralzaman, "and in return I have something
pleasant to tell you.  Follow me and see the good
fortune which has befallen you."

He then led the gardener to the cave, and having
shown him the treasure stored up there, said how
happy it made him that Heaven should in this way
reward his kind host's many virtues and compensate
him for the privations of many years.

"What do you mean?" asked the gardener.  "Do you
imagine that I should appropriate this treasure?
It is yours, and I have no right whatever to it.
For the last eighty years I have dug up the ground
here without discovering anything.  It is clear
that these riches are intended for you, and they
are much more needed by a prince like yourself
than by an old man like me, who am near my end and
require nothing.  This treasure comes just at the
right time, when you are about to return to your
own country, where you will make good use of it."

But the prince would not hear of this suggestion,
and finally after much discussion they agreed to
divide the gold.  When this was done the gardener
said:

"My son, the great thing now is to arrange how you
can best carry off this treasure as secretly as
possible for fear of losing it.  There are no
olives in the Ebony Island, and those imported
from here fetch a high price.  As you know, I have
a good stock of the olives which grew in this
garden.  Now you must take fifty jars, fill each
half full of gold dust and fill them up with the
olives.  We will then have them taken on board
ship when you embark."

The prince took this advice, and spent the rest of
the day filling the fifty jars, and fearing lest
the precious talisman might slip from his arm and
be lost again, he took the precaution of putting
it in one of the jars, on which he made a mark so
as to be able to recognise it.  When night came
the jars were all ready, and the prince and his
host went to bed.

Whether in consequence of his great age, or of the
fatigues and excitement of the previous day, I do
not know, but the gardener passed a very bad
night.  He was worse next day, and by the morning
of the third day was dangerously ill.  At daybreak
the ship's captain and some of his sailors knocked
at the garden door and asked for the passenger who
was to embark.

"I am he," said Camaralzaman, who had opened the
door.  "The gardener who took my passage is ill
and cannot see you, but please come in and take
these jars of olives and my bag, and I will follow
as soon as I have taken leave of him."

The sailors did as he asked, and the captain
before leaving charged Camaralzaman to lose no
time, as the wind was fair, and he wished to set
sail at once.

As soon as they were gone the prince returned to
the cottage to bid farewell to his old friend, and
to thank him once more for all his kindness.  But
the old man was at his last gasp, and had barely
murmured his confession of faith when he expired.

Camaralzaman was obliged to stay and pay him the
last offices, so having dug a grave in the garden
he wrapped the kind old man up and buried him.  He
then locked the door, gave up the key to the owner
of the garden, and hurried to the quay only to
hear that the ship had sailed long ago, after
waiting three hours for him.

It may well be believed that the prince felt in
despair at this fresh misfortune, which obliged
him to spend another year in a strange and
distasteful country.  Moreover, he had once more
lost the Princess Badoura's talisman, which he
feared he might never see again.  There was
nothing left for him but to hire the garden as the
old man had done, and to live on in the cottage.
As he could not well cultivate the garden by
himself, he engaged a lad to help him, and to
secure the rest of the treasure he put the
remaining gold dust into fifty more jars, filling
them up with olives so as to have them ready for
transport.

Whilst the prince was settling down to this second
year of toil and privation, the ship made a rapid
voyage and arrived safely at the Ebony Island.

As the palace of the new king, or rather of the
Princess Badoura, overlooked the harbour, she saw
the ship entering it and asked what vessel it was
coming in so gaily decked with flags, and was told
that it was a ship from the Island of the
Idolaters which yearly brought rich merchandise.

The princess, ever on the look out for any chance
of news of her beloved husband, went down to the
harbour attended by some officers of the court,
and arrived just as the captain was landing.  She
sent for him and asked many questions as to his
country, voyage, what passengers he had, and what
his vessel was laden with.  The captain answered
all her questions, and said that his passengers
consisted entirely of traders who brought rich
stuffs from various countries, fine muslins,
precious stones, musk, amber, spices, drugs,
olives, and many other things.

As soon as he mentioned olives, the princess, who
was very partial to them, exclaimed:

"I will take all you have on board.  Have them
unloaded and we will make our bargain at once, and
tell the other merchants to let me see all their
best wares before showing them to other people."

"Sire," replied the captain, "I have on board
fifty very large pots of olives.  They belong to a
merchant who was left behind, as in spite of
waiting for him he delayed so long that I was
obliged to set sail without him."

"Never mind," said the princess, "unload them all
the same, and we will arrange the price."

The captain accordingly sent his boat off to the
ship and it soon returned laden with the fifty
pots of olives.  The princess asked what they
might be worth.

"Sire," replied the captain, "the merchant is very
poor.  Your Majesty will not overpay him if you
give him a thousand pieces of silver."

"In order to satisfy him and as he is so poor,"
said the princess, "I will order a thousand pieces
of gold to be given you, which you will be sure to
remit to him."

So saying she gave orders for the payment and
returned to the palace, having the jars carried
before her.  When evening came the Princess
Badoura retired to the inner part of the palace,
and going to the apartments of the Princess
Haiatelnefous she had the fifty jars of olives
brought to her.  She opened one to let her friend
taste the olives and to taste them herself, but
great was her surprise when, on pouring some into
a dish, she found them all powdered with gold
dust.  "What an adventure!  how extraordinary!"
she cried.  Then she had the other jars opened,
and was more and more surprised to find the olives
in each jar mixed with gold dust.

But when at length her talisman was discovered in
one of the jars her emotion was so great that she
fainted away.  The Princess Haiatelnefous and her
women hastened to restore her, and as soon as she
recovered consciousness she covered the precious
talisman with kisses.

Then, dismissing the attendants, she said to her
friend:

"You will have guessed, my dear, that it was the
sight of this talisman which has moved me so
deeply.  This was the cause of my separation from
my dear husband, and now, I am convinced, it will
be the means of our reunion."

As soon as it was light next day the Princess
Badoura sent for the captain, and made further
inquiries about the merchant who owned the olive
jars she had bought.

In reply the captain told her all he knew of the
place where the young man lived, and how, after
engaging his passage, he came to be left behind.

"If that is the case," said the princess, "you
must set sail at once and go back for him.  He is
a debtor of mine and must be brought here at once,
or I will confiscate all your merchandise.  I
shall now give orders to have all the warehouses
where your cargo is placed under the royal seal,
and they will only be opened when you have brought
me the man I ask for.  Go at once and obey my
orders."

The captain had no choice but to do as he was bid,
so hastily provisioning his ship he started that
same evening on his return voyage.

When, after a rapid passage, he gained sight of
the Island of Idolaters, he judged it better not
to enter the harbour, but casting anchor at some
distance he embarked at night in a small boat with
six active sailors and landed near Camaralzaman's
cottage.

The prince was not asleep, and as he lay awake
moaning over all the sad events which had
separated him from his wife, he thought he heard a
knock at the garden door.  He went to open it, and
was immediately seized by the captain and sailors,
who without a word of explanation forcibly bore
him off to the boat, which took them back to the
ship without loss of time.  No sooner were they on
board than they weighed anchor and set sail.

Camaralzaman, who had kept silence till then, now
asked the captain (whom he had recognised) the
reason for this abduction.

"Are you not a debtor of the King of the Ebony
Island?" asked the captain.

"I?  Why, I never even heard of him before, and
never set foot in his kingdom!" was the answer.

"Well, you must know better than I," said the
captain.  "You will soon see him now, and meantime
be content where you are and have patience."

The return voyage was as prosperous as the former
one, and though it was night when the ship entered
the harbour, the captain lost no time in landing
with his passenger, whom he conducted to the
palace, where he begged an audience with the king.

Directly the Princess Badoura saw the prince she
recognised him in spite of his shabby clothes.
She longed to throw herself on his neck, but
restrained herself, feeling it was better for them
both that she should play her part a little
longer.  She therefore desired one of her officers
to take care of him and to treat him well.  Next
she ordered another officer to remove the seals
from the warehouse, whilst she presented the
captain with a costly diamond, and told him to
keep the thousand pieces of gold paid for the
olives, as she would arrange matters with the
merchant himself.

She then returned to her private apartments, where
she told the Princess Haiatelnefous all that had
happened, as well as her plans for the future, and
begged her assistance, which her friend readily
promised.

Next morning she ordered the prince to be taken to
the bath and clothed in a manner suitable to an
emir or governor of a province.  He was then
introduced to the council, where his good looks
and grand air drew the attention of all on him.

Princess Badoura, delighted to see him looking
himself once more, turned to the other emirs,
saying:

"My lords, I introduce to you a new colleague,
Camaralzaman, whom I have known on my travels and
who, I can assure you, you will find well deserves
your regard and admiration."

Camaralzaman was much surprised at hearing the
king--whom he never suspected of being a woman in
disguise--asserting their acquaintance, for he
felt sure he had never seen her before.  However
he received all the praises bestowed on him with
becoming modesty, and prostrating himself, said:

"Sire, I cannot find words in which to thank your
Majesty for the great honour conferred on me.  I
can but assure you that I will do all in my power
to prove myself worthy of it."

On leaving the council the prince was conducted to
a splendid house which had been prepared for him,
where he found a full establishment and
well-filled stables at his orders.  On entering
his study his steward presented him with a coffer
filled with gold pieces for his current expenses.
He felt more and more puzzled by such good
fortune, and little guessed that the Princess of
China was the cause of it.

After a few days the Princess Badoura promoted
Camaralzaman to the post of grand treasurer, an
office which he filled with so much integrity and
benevolence as to win universal esteem.

He would now have thought himself the happiest of
men had it not been for that separation which he
never ceased to bewail.  He had no clue to the
mystery of his present position, for the princess,
out of compliment to the old king, had taken his
name, and was generally known as King Armanos the
younger, few people remembering that on her first
arrival she went by another name.

At length the princess felt that the time had come
to put an end to her own and the prince's
suspense, and having arranged all her plans with
the Princess Haiatelnefous, she informed
Camaralzaman that she wished his advice on some
important business, and, to avoid being disturbed,
desired him to come to the palace that evening.

The prince was punctual, and was received in the
private apartment, when, having ordered her
attendants to withdraw, the princess took from a
small box the talisman, and, handing it to
Camaralzaman, said:  "Not long ago an astrologer
gave me this talisman.  As you are universally
well informed, you can perhaps tell me what is its
use."

Camaralzaman took the talisman and, holding it to
the light, cried with surprise, "Sire, you ask me
the use of this talisman.  Alas!  hitherto it has
been only a source of misfortune to me, being the
cause of my separation from the one I love best on
earth.  The story is so sad and strange that I am
sure your Majesty will be touched by it if you
will permit me to tell it you."

"I will hear it some other time," replied the
princess.  "Meanwhile I fancy it is not quite
unknown to me.  Wait here for me.  I will return
shortly."

So saying she retired to another room, where she
hastily changed her masculine attire for that of a
woman, and, after putting on the girdle she wore
the day they parted, returned to Camaralzaman.

The prince recognised her at once, and, embracing
her with the utmost tenderness, cried, "Ah, how
can I thank the king for this delightful
surprise?"

"Do not expect ever to see the king again," said
the princess, as she wiped the tears of joy from
her eyes, "in me you see the king.  Let us sit
down, and I will tell you all about it."

She then gave a full account of all her adventures
since their parting, and dwelt much on the charms
and noble disposition of the Princess
Haiatelnefous, to whose friendly assistance she
owed so much.  When she had done she asked to hear
the prince's story, and in this manner they spent
most of the night.

Next morning the princess resumed her woman's
clothes, and as soon as she was ready she desired
the chief eunuch to beg King Armanos to come to
her apartments.

When the king arrived great was his surprise at
finding a strange lady in company of the grand
treasurer who had no actual right to enter the
private apartment.  Seating himself he asked for
the king.

"Sire," said the princess, "yesterday I was the
king, to-day I am only the Princess of China and
wife to the real Prince Camaralzaman, son of King
Schahzaman, and I trust that when your Majesty
shall have heard our story you will not condemn
the innocent deception I have been obliged to
practise."

The king consented to listen, and did so with
marked surprise.

At the close of her narrative the princess said,
"Sire, as our religion allows a man to have more
than one wife, I would beg your Majesty to give
your daughter, the Princess Haiatelnefous, in
marriage to Prince Camaralzaman.  I gladly yield
to her the precedence and title of Queen in
recognition of the debt of gratitude which I owe
her."

King Armanos heard the princess with surprise and
admiration, then, turning to Camaralzaman, he
said, "My son, as your wife, the Princess Badoura
(whom I have hitherto looked on as my son-in-law),
consents to share your hand and affections with my
daughter, I have only to ask if this marriage is
agreeable to you, and if you will consent to
accept the crown which the Princess Badoura
deserves to wear all her life, but which she
prefers to resign for love of you."

"Sire," replied Camaralzaman, "I can refuse your
Majesty nothing."

Accordingly Camaralzaman was duly proclaimed king,
and as duly married with all pomp to the Princess
Haiatelnefous, with whose beauty, talents, and
affections he had every reason to be pleased.

The two queens lived in true sisterly harmony
together, and after a time each presented King
Camaralzaman with a son, whose births were
celebrated throughout the kingdom with the utmost
rejoicing.



Noureddin and the Fair Persian


Balsora was the capital of a kingdom long
tributary to the caliph.  During the time of the
Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid the king of Balsora, who
was his cousin, was called Zinebi.  Not thinking
one vizir enough for the administration of his
estates he had two, named Khacan and Saouy.

Khacan was kind, generous, and liberal, and took
pleasure in obliging, as far as in him lay, those
who had business with him.  Throughout the entire
kingdom there was no one who did not esteem and
praise him as he deserved.

Saouy was quite a different character, and
repelled everyone with whom he came in contact; he
was always gloomy, and, in spite of his great
riches, so miserly that he denied himself even the
necessaries of life.  What made him particularly
detested was the great aversion he had to Khacan,
of whom he never ceased to speak evil to the king.

One day, while the king amused himself talking
with his two vizirs and other members of the
council, the conversation turned on female slaves.
While some declared that it sufficed for a slave
to be beautiful, others, and Khacan was among the
number, maintained that beauty alone was not
enough, but that it must be accompanied by wit,
wisdom, modesty, and, if possible, knowledge.

The king not only declared himself to be of this
opinion, but charged Khacan to procure him a slave
who should fulfil all these conditions.  Saouy,
who had been of the opposite side, and was jealous
of the honour done to Khacan, said, "Sire, it will
be very difficult to find a slave as accomplished
as your Majesty desires, and, if she is to be
found, she will be cheap if she cost less than
10,000 gold pieces."

"Saouy," answered the king, "you seem to find that
a very great sum.  For you it may be so, but not
for me."

And forthwith he ordered his grand treasurer, who
was present, to send 10,000 gold pieces to Khacan
for the purchase of the slave.

As soon, then, as Khacan returned home he sent for
the dealers in female slaves, and charged them
directly they had found such a one as he described
to inform him.  They promised to do their utmost,
and no day passed that they did not bring a slave
for his inspection but none was found without some
defect.

At length, early one morning, while Khacan was on
his way to the king's palace, a dealer, throwing
himself in his way, announced eagerly that a
Persian merchant, arrived late the previous
evening, had a slave to sell whose wit and wisdom
were equal to her incomparable beauty.

Khacan, overjoyed at this news, gave orders that
the slave should be brought for his inspection on
his return from the palace.  The dealer appearing
at the appointed hour, Khacan found the slave
beautiful beyond his expectations, and immediately
gave her the name of "The Fair Persian."

Being a man of great wisdom and learning, he
perceived in the short conversation he had with
her that he would seek in vain another slave to
surpass her in any of the qualities required by
the king, and therefore asked the dealer what
price the merchant put upon her.

"Sir," was the answer, "for less than 10,000 gold
pieces he will not let her go; he declares that,
what with masters for her instruction, and for
bodily exercises, not to speak of clothing and
nourishment, he has already spent that sum upon
her.  She is in every way fit to be the slave of a
king; she plays every musical instrument, she
sings, she dances, she makes verses, in fact there
is no accomplishment in which she does not excel."

Khacan, who was better able to judge of her merits
than the dealer, wishing to bring the matter to a
conclusion, sent for the merchant, and said to
him, "It is not for myself that I wish to buy your
slave, but for the king.  Her price, however, is
too high."

"Sir," replied the merchant, "I should esteem it
an honour to present her to his Majesty, did it
become a merchant to do such a thing.  I ask no
more than the sum it has cost me to make her such
as she is."

Khacan, not wishing to bargain, immediately had
the sum counted out, and given to the merchant,
who before withdrawing said:

"Sir, as she is destined for the king, I would
have you observe that she is extremely tired with
the long journey, and before presenting her to his
Majesty you would do well to keep her a fortnight
in your own house, and to see that a little care
is bestowed upon her.  The sun has tanned her
complexion, but when she has been two or three
times to the bath, and is fittingly dressed, you
will see how much her beauty will be increased."

Khacan thanked the merchant for his advice, and
determined to follow it.  He gave the beautiful
Persian an apartment near to that of his wife,
whom he charged to treat her as befitting a lady
destined for the king, and to order for her the
most magnificent garments.

Before bidding adieu to the fair Persian, he said
to her:  "No happiness can be greater than what I
have procured for you; judge for yourself, you now
belong to the king.  I have, however, to warn you
of one thing.  I have a son, who, though not
wanting in sense, is young, foolish, and
headstrong, and I charge you to keep him at a
distance."

The Persian thanked him for his advice, and
promised to profit by it.

Noureddin--for so the vizir's son was named--went
freely in and out of his mother's apartments.  He
was young, well-made and agreeable, and had the
gift of charming all with whom he came in contact.
As soon as he saw the beautiful Persian, though
aware that she was destined for the king, he let
himself be carried away by her charms, and
determined at once to use every means in his power
to retain her for himself.  The Persian was
equally captivated by Noureddin, and said to
herself:  "The vizir does me too great honour in
buying me for the king.  I should esteem myself
very happy if he would give me to his son."

Noureddin availed himself of every opportunity to
gaze upon her beauty, to talk and laugh with her,
and never would have left her side if his mother
had not forced him.

Some time having elapsed, on account of the long
journey, since the beautiful Persian had been to
the bath, five or six days after her purchase the
vizir's wife gave orders that the bath should be
heated for her, and that her own female slaves
should attend her there, and after-wards should
array her in a magnificent dress that had been
prepared for her.

Her toilet completed, the beautiful Persian came
to present herself to the vizir's wife, who hardly
recognised her, so greatly was her beauty
increased.  Kissing her hand, the beautiful slave
said:  "Madam, I do not know how you find me in
this dress that you have had prepared for me; your
women assure me that it suits me so well that they
hardly knew me.  If it is the truth they tell me,
and not flattery, it is to you I owe the
transformation."

"My daughter," answered the vizir's wife, "they do
not flatter you.  I myself hardly recognised you.
The improvement is not due to the dress alone, but
largely to the beautifying effects of the bath.  I
am so struck by its results, that I would try it
on myself."

Acting forthwith on this decision she ordered two
little slaves during her absence to watch over the
beautiful Persian, and not to allow Noureddin to
enter should he come.

She had no sooner gone than he arrived, and not
finding his mother in her apartment, would have
sought her in that of the Persian.  The two little
slaves barred the entrance, saying that his mother
had given orders that he was not to be admitted.
Taking each by an arm, he put them out of the
anteroom, and shut the door.  Then they rushed to
the bath, informing their mistress with shrieks
and tears that Noureddin had driven them away by
force and gone in.

This news caused great consternation to the lady,
who, dressing herself as quickly as possible,
hastened to the apartment of the fair Persian, to
find that Noureddin had already gone out.  Much
astonished to see the vizir's wife enter in tears,
the Persian asked what misfortune had happened.

"What!" exclaimed the lady, "you ask me that,
knowing that my son Noureddin has been alone with
you?"

"But, madam," inquired the Persian, "what harm is
there in that?"

"How!  Has my husband not told you that you are
destined for the king?"

"Certainly, but Noureddin has just been to tell me
that his father has changed his mind and has
bestowed me upon him.  I believed him, and so
great is my affection for Noureddin that I would
willingly pass my life with him."

"Would to heaven," exclaimed the wife of the
vizir, "that what you say were true; but Noureddin
has deceived you, and his father will sacrifice
him in vengeance for the wrong he has done."

So saying, she wept bitterly, and all her slaves
wept with her.

Khacan, entering shortly after this, was much
astonished to find his wife and her slaves in
tears, and the beautiful Persian greatly
perturbed.  He inquired the cause, but for some
time no answer was forthcoming.  When his wife was
at length sufficiently calm to inform him of what
had happened, his rage and mortification knew no
bounds.  Wringing his hands and rending his beard,
he exclaimed:

"Wretched son!  thou destroyest not only thyself
but thy father.  The king will shed not only thy
blood but mine." His wife tried to console him,
saying:  "Do not torment thyself.  With the sale
of my jewels I will obtain 10,000 gold pieces, and
with this sum you will buy another slave."

"Do not suppose," replied her husband, "that it is
the loss of the money that affects me.  My honour
is at stake, and that is more precious to me than
all my wealth.  You know that Saouy is my mortal
enemy.  He will relate all this to the king, and
you will see the consequences that will ensue."

"My lord," said his wife, "I am quite aware of
Saouy's baseness, and that he is capable of
playing you this malicious trick.  But how can he
or any one else know what takes place in this
house?  Even if you are suspected and the king
accuses you, you have only to say that, after
examining the slave, you did not find her worthy
of his Majesty.  Reassure yourself, and send to
the dealers, saying that you are not satisfied,
and wish them to find you another slave."

This advice appearing reasonable, Khacan decided
to follow it, but his wrath against his son did
not abate.  Noureddin dared not appear all that
day, and fearing to take refuge with his usual
associates in case his father should seek him
there, he spent the day in a secluded garden where
he was not known.  He did not return home till
after his father had gone to bed, and went out
early next morning before the vizir awoke, and
these precautions he kept up during an entire
month.

His mother, though knowing very well that he
returned to the house every evening, dare not ask
her husband to pardon him.  At length she took
courage and said:

"My lord, I know that a son could not act more
basely towards his father than Noureddin has done
towards you, but after all will you now pardon
him?  Do you not consider the harm you may be
doing yourself, and fear that malicious people,
seeking the cause of your estrangement, may guess
the real one?"

"Madam," replied the vizir, "what you say is very
just, but I cannot pardon Noureddin before I have
mortified him as he deserves."

"He will be sufficiently punished," answered the
lady, "if you do as I suggest.  In the evening,
when he returns home, lie in wait for him and
pretend that you will slay him.  I will come to
his aid, and while pointing out that you only
yield his life at my supplications, you can force
him to take the beautiful Persian on any
conditions you please." Khacan agreed to follow
this plan, and everything took place as arranged.
On Noureddin's return Khacan pretended to be about
to slay him, but yielding to his wife's
intercession, said to his son:

"You owe your life to your mother.  I pardon you
on her intercession, and on the conditions that
you take the beautiful Persian for your wife, and
not your slave, that you never sell her, nor put
her away."

Noureddin, not hoping for so great indulgence,
thanked his father, and vowed to do as he desired.
Khacan was at great pains frequently to speak to
the king of the difficulties attending the
commission he had given him, but some whispers of
what had actually taken place did reach Saouy's
ears.

More than a year after these events the minister
took a chill, leaving the bath while still heated
to go out on important business.  This resulted in
inflammation of the lungs, which rapidly
increased.  The vizir, feeling that his end was at
hand, sent for Noureddin, and charged him with his
dying breath never to part with the beautiful
Persian.

Shortly afterwards he expired, leaving universal
regret throughout the kingdom; rich and poor alike
followed him to the grave.  Noureddin showed every
mark of the deepest grief at his father's death,
and for long refused to see any one.  At length a
day came when, one of his friends being admitted,
urged him strongly to be consoled, and to resume
his former place in society.  This advice
Noureddin was not slow to follow, and soon he
formed little society of ten young men all about
his own age, with whom he spent all his time in
continual feasting and merry-making.

Sometimes the fair Persian consented to appear at
these festivities, but she disapproved of this
lavish expenditure, and did not scruple to warn
Noureddin of the probable consequences.  He,
however, only laughed at her advice, saying, that
his father had always kept him in too great
constraint, and that now he rejoiced at his
new-found liberty.

What added to the confusion in his affairs was
that he refused to look into his accounts with his
steward, sending him away every time he appeared
with his book.

"See only that I live well," he said, "and do not
disturb me about anything else."

Not only did Noureddin's friends constantly
partake of his hospitality, but in every way they
took advantage of his generosity; everything of
his that they admired, whether land, houses,
baths, or any other source of his revenue, he
immediately bestowed on them.  In vain the Persian
protested against the wrong he did himself; he
continued to scatter with the same lavish hand.

Throughout one entire year Noureddin did nothing
but amuse himself, and dissipate the wealth his
father had taken such pains to acquire.  The year
had barely elapsed, when one day, as they sat at
table, there came a knock at the door.  The slaves
having been sent away, Noureddin went to open it
himself.  One of his friends had risen at the same
time, but Noureddin was before him, and finding
the intruder to be the steward, he went out and
closed the door.  The friend, curious to hear what
passed between them, hid himself behind the
hangings, and heard the following words:

"My lord," said the steward, "I beg a thousand
pardons for interrupting you, but what I have long
foreseen has taken place.  Nothing remains of the
sums you gave me for your expenses, and all other
sources of income are also at end, having been
transferred by you to others.  If you wish me to
remain in your service, furnish me with the
necessary funds, else I must withdraw."

So great was Noureddin's consternation that he had
not a word to say in reply.

The friend, who had been listening behind the
curtain, immediately hastened to communicate the
news to the rest of the company.

"If this is so," they said, "we must cease to come
here."

Noureddin re-entering at that moment, they plainly
saw, in spite of his efforts to dissemble, that
what they had heard was the truth.  One by one
they rose, and each with a different excuse left
the room, till presently he found himself alone,
though little suspecting the resolution his
friends had taken.  Then, seeing the beautiful
Persian, he confided to her the statement of the
steward, with many expressions of regret for his
own carelessness.

"Had I but followed your advice, beautiful
Persian," he said, "all this would not have
happened, but at least I have this consolation,
that I have spent my fortune in the company of
friends who will not desert me in an hour of need.
To-morrow I will go to them, and amongst them they
will lend me a sum sufficient to start in some
business."

Accordingly next morning early Noureddin went to
seek his ten friends, who all lived in the same
street.  Knocking at the door of the first and
chief, the slave who opened it left him to wait in
a hall while he announced his visit to his master.
"Noureddin!" he heard him exclaim quite audibly.
"Tell him, every time he calls, that I am not at
home." The same thing happened at the second door,
and also at the third, and so on with all the ten.
Noureddin, much mortified, recognised too late
that he had confided in false friends, who
abandoned him in his hour of need.  Overwhelmed
with grief, he sought consolation from the
beautiful Persian.

"Alas, my lord," she said, "at last you are
convinced of the truth of what I foretold.  There
is now no other resource left but to sell your
slaves and your furniture."

First then he sold the slaves, and subsisted for a
time on the proceeds, after that the furniture was
sold, and as much of it was valuable it sufficed
for some time.  Finally this resource also came to
an end, and again he sought counsel from the
beautiful Persian.

"My lord," she said, "I know that the late vizir,
your father, bought me for 10,000 gold pieces, and
though I have diminished in value since, I should
still fetch a large sum.  Do not therefore
hesitate to sell me, and with the money you obtain
go and establish yourself in business in some
distant town."

"Charming Persian," answered Noureddin, "how could
I be guilty of such baseness?  I would die rather
than part from you whom I love better than my
life."

"My lord," she replied, "I am well aware of your
love for me, which is only equalled by mine for
you, but a cruel necessity obliges us to seek the
only remedy."

Noureddin, convinced at length of the truth of her
words, yielded, and reluctantly led her to the
slave market, where, showing her to a dealer named
Hagi Hassan, he inquired her value.

Taking them into a room apart, Hagi Hassan
exclaimed as soon as she had unveiled, "My lord,
is not this the slave your father bought for
10,000 pieces?"

On learning that it was so, he promised to obtain
the highest possible price for her.  Leaving the
beautiful Persian shut up in the room alone, he
went ont to seek the slave merchants, announcing
to them that he had found the pearl among slaves,
and asking them to come and put a value upon her.
As soon as they saw her they agreed that less than
4,000 gold pieces could not be asked.  Hagi
Hassan, then closing the door upon her, began to
offer her for sale--calling out:  "Who will bid
4,000 gold pieces for the Persian slave?"

Before any of the merchants had bid, Saouy
happened to pass that way, and judging that it
must be a slave of extraordinary beauty, rode up
to Hagi Hassan and desired to see her.  Now it was
not the custom to show a slave to a private
bidder, but as no one dared to disobey the vizir
his request was granted.

As soon as Saouy saw the Persian he was so struck
by her beauty, that he immediately wished to
possess her, and not knowing that she belonged to
Noureddin, he desired Hagi Hassan to send for the
owner and to conclude the bargain at once.

Hagi Hassan then sought Noureddin, and told him
that his slave was going far below her value, and
that if Saouy bought her he was capable of not
paying the money.  "What you must do," he said,
"is to pretend that you had no real intention of
selling your slave, and only swore you would in a
fit of anger against her.  When I present her to
Saouy as if with your consent you must step in,
and with blows begin to lead her away."

Noureddin did as Hagi Hassan advised, to the great
wrath of Saouy, who riding straight at him
endeavoured to take the beautiful Persian from him
by force.  Noureddin letting her go, seized
Saouy's horse by the bridle, and, encouraged by
the applause of the bystanders, dragged him to the
ground, beat him severely, and left him in the
gutter streaming with blood.  Then, taking the
beautiful Persian, he returned home amidst the
acclamations of the people, who detested Saouy so
much that they would neither interfere in his
behalf nor allow his slaves to protect him.

Covered from head to foot with mire and streaming
with blood he rose, and leaning on two of his
slaves went straight to the palace, where he
demanded an audience of the king, to whom he
related what had taken place in these words:

"May it please your Majesty, I had gone to the
slave market to buy myself a cook.  While there I
heard a slave being offered for 4,000 pieces.
Asking to see her, I found she was of incomparable
beauty, and was being sold by Noureddin, the son
of your late vizir, to whom your Majesty will
remember giving a sum of 10,000 gold pieces for
the purchase of a slave.  This is the identical
slave, whom instead of bringing to your Majesty he
gave to his own son.  Since the death of his
father this Noureddin has run through his entire
fortune, has sold all his possessions, and is now
reduced to selling the slave.  Calling him to me,
I said:  "Noureddin, I will give you 10,000 gold
pieces for your slave, whom I will present to the
king.  I will interest him at the same time in
your behalf, and this will be worth much more to
you than what extra money you might obtain from
the merchants." "Bad old man," he exclaimed,
"rather than sell my slave to you I would give her
to a Jew." "But, Noureddin," I remonstrated, "you
do not consider that in speaking thus you wrong
the king, to whom your father owed everything."
This remonstrance only irritated him the more.
Throwing himself on me like a madman, he tore me
from my horse, beat me to his heart's content, and
left me in the state your Majesty sees."

So saying Saouy turned aside his head and wept
bitterly.

The king's wrath was kindled against Noureddin.
He ordered the captain of the guard to take with
him forty men, to pillage Noureddin's house, to
rase it to the ground, and to bring Noureddin and
the slave to him.  A doorkeeper, named Sangiar,
who had been a slave of Khacan's, hearing this
order given, slipped out of the king's apartment,
and hastened to warn Noureddin to take flight
instantly with the beautiful Persian.  Then,
presenting him with forty gold pieces, he
disappeared before Noureddin had time to thank
him.

As soon, then, as the fair Persian had put on her
veil they fled together, and had the good fortune
to get out of the town without being observed.  At
the mouth of the Euphrates they found a ship just
about to start for Bagdad.  They embarked, and
immediately the anchor was raised and they set
sail.

When the captain of the guard reached Noureddin's
house he caused his soldiers to burst open the
door and to enter by force, but no trace was to be
found of Noureddin and his slave, nor could the
neighbours give any information about them.  When
the king heard that they had escaped, he issued a
proclamation that a reward of 1,000 gold pieces
would be given to whoever would bring him
Noureddin and the slave, but that, on the
contrary, whoever hid them would be severely
punished.  Meanwhile Noureddin and the fair
Persian had safely reached Bagdad.  When the
vessel had come to an anchor they paid five gold
pieces for their passage and went ashore.  Never
having been in Bagdad before, they did not know
where to seek a lodging.  Wandering along the
banks of the Tigris, they skirted a garden
enclosed by a high wall.  The gate was shut, but
in front of it was an open vestibule with a sofa
on either side.  "Here," said Noureddin, "let us
pass the night," and reclining on the sofas they
soon fell asleep.

Now this garden belonged to the Caliph.  In the
middle of it was a vast pavilion, whose superb
saloon had eighty windows, each window having a
lustre, lit solely when the Caliph spent the
evening there.  Only the door-keeper lived there,
an old soldier named Scheih Ibrahim, who had
strict orders to be very careful whom he admitted,
and never to allow any one to sit on the sofas by
the door.  It happened that evening that he had
gone out on an errand.  When he came back and saw
two persons asleep on the sofas he was about to
drive them out with blows, but drawing nearer he
perceived that they were a handsome young man and
beautiful young woman, and decided to awake them
by gentler means.  Noureddin, on being awoke, told
the old man that they were strangers, and merely
wished to pass the night there.  "Come with me,"
said Scheih Ibrahim, "I will lodge you better, and
will show you a magnificent garden belonging to
me." So saying the doorkeeper led the way into the
Caliph's garden, the beauties of which filled them
with wonder and amazement.  Noureddin took out two
gold pieces, and giving them to Scheih Ibrahim
said

"I beg you to get us something to eat that we may
make merry together." Being very avaricious,
Scheih Ibrahim determined to spend only the tenth
part of the money and to keep the rest to himself.
While he was gone Noureddin and the Persian
wandered through the gardens and went up the white
marble staircase of the pavilion as far as the
locked door of the saloon.  On the return of
Scheih Ibrahim they begged him to open it, and to
allow them to enter and admire the magnificence
within.  Consenting, he brought not only the key,
but a light, and immediately unlocked the door.
Noureddin and the Persian entering, were dazzled
with the magnificence they beheld.  The paintings
and furniture were of astonishing beauty, and
between each window was a silver arm holding a
candle.

Scheih Ibrahim spread the table in front of a
sofa, and all three ate together.  When they had
finished eating Noureddin asked the old man to
bring them a bottle of wine.

"Heaven forbid," said Scheih Ibrahim, "that I
should come in contact with wine!  I who have four
times made the pilgrimage to Mecca, and have
renounced wine for ever."

"You would, however, do us a great service in
procuring us some," said Noureddin.  "You need not
touch it yourself.  Take the ass which is tied to
the gate, lead it to the nearest wine-shop, and
ask some passer-by to order two jars of wine; have
them put in the ass's panniers, and drive him
before you.  Here are two pieces of gold for the
expenses."

At sight of the gold, Scheih Ibrahim set off at
once to execute the commission.  On his return,
Noureddin said:  "We have still need of cups to
drink from, and of fruit, if you can procure us
some." Scheih Ibrahim disappeared again, and soon
returned with a table spread with cups of gold and
silver, and every sort of beautiful fruit.  Then
he withdrew, in spite of repeated invitations to
remain.

Noureddin and the beautiful Persian, finding the
wine excellent, drank of it freely, and while
drinking they sang.  Both had fine voices, and
Scheih Ibrahim listened to them with great
pleasure-- first from a distance, then he drew
nearer, and finally put his head in at the door.
Noureddin, seeing him, called to him to come in
and keep them company.  At first the old man
declined, but was persuaded to enter the room, to
sit down on the edge of the sofa nearest the door,
and at last to draw closer and to seat himself by
the beautiful Persian, who urged him so
persistently to drink her health that at length he
yielded, and took the cup she offered.

Now the old man only made a pretence of renouncing
wine; he frequented wine-shops like other people,
and had taken none of the precautions Noureddin
had proposed.  Having once yielded, he was easily
persuaded to take a second cup, and a third, and
so on till he no longer knew what he was doing.
Till near midnight they continued drinking,
laughing, and singing together.

About that time the Persian, perceiving that the
room was lit by only one miserable tallow candle,
asked Scheih Ibrahim to light some of the
beautiful candles in the silver arms.

"Light them yourself," answered the old man; "you
are younger than I, but let five or six be
enough."

She did not stop, however, till she had lit all
the eighty, but Scheih Ibrahim was not conscious
of this, and when, soon after that, Noureddin
proposed to have some of the lustres lit, he
answered:

"You are more capable of lighting them than I, but
not more than three."

Noureddin, far from contenting himself with three,
lit all, and opened all the eighty windows.

The Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid, chancing at that
moment to open a window in the saloon of his
palace looking on the garden, was surprised to see
the pavilion brilliantly illuminated.  Calling the
grand-vizir, Giafar, he said to him:

"Negligent vizir, look at the pavilion, and tell
me why it is lit up when I am not there."

When the vizir saw that it was as the Caliph said,
he trembled with fear, and immediately invented an
excuse.

"Commander of the Faithful," he said, "I must tell
you that four or five days ago Scheih Ibrahim told
me that he wished to have an assembly of the
ministers of his mosque, and asked permission to
hold it in the pavilion.  I granted his request,
but forgot since to mention it to your Majesty."

"Giafar," replied the Caliph, "you have committed
three faults-- first, in giving the permission;
second, in not mentioning it to me; and third, in
not investigating the matter more closely.  For
punishment I condemn you to spend the rest of the
night with me in company of these worthy people.
While I dress myself as a citizen, go and disguise
yourself, and then come with me."

When they reached the garden gate they found it
open, to the great indignation of the Caliph.  The
door of the pavilion being also open, he went
softly upstairs, and looked in at the half-closed
door of the saloon.  Great was his surprise to see
Scheih Ibrahim, whose sobriety he had never
doubted, drinking and singing with a young man and
a beautiful lady.  The Caliph, before giving way
to his anger, determined to watch and see who the
people were and what they did.

Presently Scheih Ibrahim asked the beautiful
Persian if anything were wanting to complete her
enjoyment of the evening.

"If only," she said, "I had an instrument upon
which I might play."

Scheih Ibrahim immediately took a lute from a
cup-board and gave it to the Persian, who began to
play on it, singing the while with such skill and
taste that the Caliph was enchanted.  When she
ceased he went softly downstairs and said to the
vizir:

"Never have I heard a finer voice, nor the lute
better played.  I am determined to go in and make
her play to me."

"Commander of the Faithful," said the vizir, "if
Scheih Ibrahim recognises you he will die of
fright."

"I should be sorry for that," answered the Caliph,
"and I am going to take steps to prevent it.  Wait
here till I return."

Now the Caliph had caused a bend in the river to
form a lake in his garden.  There the finest fish
in the Tigris were to be found, but fishing was
strictly forbidden.  It happened that night,
however, that a fisherman had taken advantage of
the gate being open to go in and cast his nets.
He was just about to draw them when he saw the
Caliph approaching.  Recognising him at once in
spite of his disguise, he threw himself at his
feet imploring forgiveness.

"Fear nothing," said the Caliph, "only rise up and
draw thy nets."

The fisherman did as he was told, and produced
five or six fine fish, of which the Caliph took
the two largest.  Then he desired the fisherman to
change clothes with him, and in a few minutes the
Caliph was transformed into a fisherman, even to
the shoes and the turban.  Taking the two fish in
his hand, he returned to the vizir, who, not
recognising him, would have sent him about his
business.  Leaving the vizir at the foot of the
stairs, the Caliph went up and knocked at the door
of the saloon.  Noureddin opened it, and the
Caliph, standing on the threshold, said:

"Scheih Ibrahim, I am the fisher Kerim.  Seeing
that you are feasting with your friends, I bring
you these fish."

Noureddin and the Persian said that when the
fishes were properly cooked and dressed they would
gladly eat of them.  The Caliph then returned to
the vizir, and they set to work in Scheih
Ibrahim's house to cook the fish, of which they
made so tempting a dish that Noureddin and the
fair Persian ate of it with great relish.  When
they had finished Noureddin took thirty gold
pieces (all that remained of what Sangiar had
given him) and presented them to the Caliph, who,
thanking him, asked as a further favour if the
lady would play him one piece on the lute.  The
Persian gladly consented, and sang and played so
as to delight the Caliph.

Noureddin, in the habit of giving to others
whatever they admired, said, "Fisherman, as she
pleases you so much, take her; she is yours."

The fair Persian, astounded that he should wish to
part from her, took her lute, and with tears in
her eyes sang her reproaches to its music.

The Caliph (still in the character of fisherman)
said to him, "Sir, I perceive that this fair lady
is your slave.  Oblige me, I beg you, by relating
your history."

Noureddin willingly granted this request, and
recounted everything from the purchase of the
slave down to the present moment.

"And where do you go now?" asked the Caliph.

"Wherever the hand of Allah leads me," said
Noureddin.

"Then, if you will listen to me," said the Caliph,
"you will immediately return to Balsora.  I will
give you a letter to the king, which will ensure
you a good reception from him."

"It is an unheard-of thing," said Noureddin, "that
a fisherman should be in correspondence with a
king."

"Let not that astonish you," answered the Caliph;
"we studied together, and have always remained the
best of friends, though fortune, while making him
a king, left me a humble fisherman."

The Caliph then took a sheet of paper, and wrote
the following letter, at the top of which he put
in very small characters this formula to show that
he must be implicitly obeyed:--"In the name of the
Most Merciful God.

"Letter of the Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid to the
King of Balsora.

"Haroun-al-Raschid, son of Mahdi, sends this
letter to Mohammed Zinebi, his cousin.  As soon as
Noureddin, son of the Vizir Khacan, bearer of this
letter, has given it to thee, and thou hast read
it, take off thy royal mantle, put it on his
shoulders, and seat him in thy place without fail.
Farewell."

The Caliph then gave this letter to Noureddin, who
immediately set off, with only what little money
he possessed when Sangiar came to his assistance.
The beautiful Persian, inconsolable at his
departure, sank on a sofa bathed in tears.

When Noureddin had left the room, Scheih Ibrahim,
who had hitherto kept silence, said:  "Kerim, for
two miserable fish thou hast received a purse and
a slave.  I tell thee I will take the slave, and
as to the purse, if it contains silver thou mayst
keep one piece, if gold then I will take all and
give thee what copper pieces I have in my purse."

Now here it must be related that when the Caliph
went upstairs with the plate of fish he ordered
the vizir to hasten to the palace and bring back
four slaves bearing a change of raiment, who
should wait outside the pavilion till the Caliph
should clap his hands.

Still personating the fisherman, the Caliph
answered:  "Scheih Ibrahim, whatever is in the
purse I will share equally with you, but as to the
slave I will keep her for myself.  If you do not
agree to these conditions you shall have nothing."

The old man, furious at this insolence as he
considered it, took a cup and threw it at the
Caliph, who easily avoided a missile from the hand
of a drunken man.  It hit against the wall, and
broke into a thousand pieces.  Scheih Ibrahim,
still more enraged, then went ont to fetch a
stick.  The Caliph at that moment clapped his
hands, and the vizir and the four slaves entering
took off the fisherman's dress and put on him that
which they had brought.

When Scheih Ibrahim returned, a thick stick in his
hand, the Caliph was seated on his throne, and
nothing remained of the fisherman but his clothes
in the middle of the room.  Throwing himself on
the ground at the Caliph's feet, he said:
"Commander of the Faithful, your miserable slave
has offended you, and craves forgiveness."

The Caliph came down from his throne, and said:
"Rise, I forgive thee." Then turning to the
Persian he said:  "Fair lady, now you know who I
am; learn also that I have sent Noureddin to
Balsora to be king, and as soon as all necessary
preparations are made I will send you there to be
queen.  Meanwhile I will give you an apartment in
my palace, where you will be treated with all
honour."

At this the beautiful Persian took courage, and
the Caliph was as good as his word, recommending
her to the care of his wife Zobeida.

Noureddin made all haste on his journey to
Balsora, and on his arrival there went straight to
the palace of the king, of whom he demanded an
audience.  It was immediately granted, and holding
the letter high above his head he forced his way
through the crowd.  While the king read the letter
he changed colour.  He would instantly have
executed the Caliph's order, but first he showed
the letter to Saouy, whose interests were equally
at stake with his own.  Pretending that he wished
to read it a second time, Saouy turned aside as if
to seek a better light; unperceived by anyone he
tore off the formula from the top of the letter,
put it to his mouth, and swallowed it.  Then,
turning to the king, he said:

"Your majesty has no need to obey this letter.
The writing is indeed that of the Caliph, but the
formula is absent.  Besides, he has not sent an
express with the patent, without which the letter
is useless.  Leave all to me, and I will take the
consequences."

The king not only listened to the persuasions of
Saouy, but gave Noureddin into his hands.  Such a
severe bastinado was first administered to him,
that he was left more dead than alive; then Saouy
threw him into the darkest and deepest dungeon,
and fed him only on bread and water.  After ten
days Saouy determined to put an end to Noureddin's
life, but dared not without the king's authority.
To gain this end, he loaded several of his own
slaves with rich gifts, and presented himself at
their head to the king, saying that they were from
the new king on his coronation.

"What!" said the king; "is that wretch still
alive?  Go and behead him at once.  I authorise
you."

"Sire," said Saouy, "I thank your Majesty for the
justice you do me.  I would further beg, as
Noureddin publicly affronted me, that the
execution might be in front of the palace, and
that it might be proclaimed throughout the city,
so that no one may be ignorant of it."

The king granted these requests, and the
announcement caused universal grief, for the
memory of Noureddin's father was still fresh in
the hearts of his people.  Saouy, accompanied by
twenty of his own slaves, went to the prison to
fetch Noureddin, whom he mounted on a wretched
horse without a saddle.  Arrived at the palace,
Saouy went in to the king, leaving Noureddin in
the square, hemmed in not only by Saouy's slaves
but by the royal guard, who had great difficulty
in preventing the people from rushing in and
rescuing Noureddin.  So great was the indignation
against Saouy that if anyone had set the example
he would have been stoned on his way through the
streets.  Saouy, who witnessed the agitation of
the people from the windows of the king's privy
chambers, called to the executioner to strike at
once.  The king, however, ordered him to delay;
not only was he jealous of Saouy's interference,
but he had another reason.  A troop of horsemen
was seen at that moment riding at full gallop
towards the square.  Saouy suspected who they
might be, and urged the king to give the signal
for the execution without delay, but this the king
refused to do till he knew who the horsemen were.

Now, they were the vizir Giafar and his suite
arriving at full speed from Bagdad.  For several
days after Noureddin's departure with the letter
the Caliph had forgotten to send the express with
the patent, without which the letter was useless.
Hearing a beautiful voice one day in the women's
part of the palace uttering lamentations, he was
informed that it was the voice of the fair
Persian, and suddenly calling to mind the patent,
he sent for Giafar, and ordered him to make for
Balsora with the utmost speed-- if Noureddin were
dead, to hang Saouy; if he were still alive, to
bring him at once to Bagdad along with the king
and Saouy.

Giafar rode at full speed through the square, and
alighted at the steps of the palace, where the
king came to greet him.  The vizir's first
question was whether Noureddin were still alive.
The king replied that he was, and he was
immediately led forth, though bound hand and foot.
By the vizir's orders his bonds were immediately
undone, and Saouy was tied with the same cords.
Next day Giafar returned to Bagdad, bearing with
him the king, Saouy, and Noureddin.

When the Caliph heard what treatment Noureddin had
received, he authorised him to behead Saouy with
his own hands, but he declined to shed the blood
of his enemy, who was forthwith handed over to the
executioner.  The Caliph also desired Noureddin to
reign over Balsora, but this, too, he declined,
saying that after what had passed there he
preferred never to return, but to enter the
service of the Caliph.  He became one of his most
intimate courtiers, and lived long in great
happiness with the fair Persian.  As to the king,
the Caliph contented himself with sending him back
to Balsora, with the recommendation to be more
careful in future in the choice of his vizir.