the king, your father,” replied Marzavan, “perceives that you do
not return to-night, as you promised, or learns from the grooms that
we set out without them, while they were asleep, he will undoubtedly
send people out different ways to search for us. Those who come this
way, and find this bloody vest, will conclude, that some beast of
prey has devoured you, and that I have made my escape, to avoid the
king’s anger and resentment; he, thinking from their account, that
you are no longer in existence, will desist from his researches
after us, and thus afford us the opportunity of continuing our
journey without interruption, and the fear of being pursued. It is
true, that the stratagem is a violent one, to occasion so tender a
parent the afflicting alarm of having lost a son whom he doatingly
loves; but the joy of your father will be beyond all bounds, when he
shall again discover you to be alive and happy.”--“Wise
Marzavan,” cried the prince, “I cannot but approve so ingenious
an invention, and feel additional obligations to you for having put
it in execution.”
The prince and Marzavan, well supplied with valuable jewels to
defray their expences, continued their travels by land and by sea,
and met with no other obstacle than the length of time, which
necessarily must elapse, before they could reach their place of
destination.
They at length arrived at the capital of China, where Marzavan,
instead of conducting the prince to his own house, made him alight
at a public khan for the reception of travellers. They remained
there three days, to recover from the fatigue of the journey; and
during this interval, Marzavan had an astrologer’s dress made for
the prince to disguise himself in. When the three days were expired,
they went together to the bath, where Marzavan made the prince put
on the astrologer’s dress, and when they left the bath, he
conducted him within sight of the palace of the king of China, and
there left him, to go and acquaint his mother, the nurse of princess
Badoura, of his arrival, that she might prepare the princess for the
interview.
The prince, instructed by Marzavan in what he was to do, and
furnished with every implement necessary for his assumed dress and
character, approached the gate of the palace; and stopping before
it, cried out with a loud voice, in the hearing of the guard and
porters, “I am an astrologer, and I come to complete the cure of
the illustrious princess Badoura, daughter of the great and puissant
monarch Gaiour, king of China, according to the conditions proposed
by his majesty, to marry her, if I succeed; or to lose my life, if I
fail.
The novelty of this address instantly assembled a multitude of
people round prince Camaralzaman, besides the guard and porters
belonging to the palace. In fact, it was a long time since either
physician, astrologer, or magician had presented himself, after so
many tragical examples of people who had failed in their enterprise.
They supposed the race was extinct, or, at least, that there were no
more so foolish as to expose themselves to almost certain death.
On observing the elegant figure of the prince, his noble air, and
the extreme youth which was discernible in his countenance, every
one present felt compassion for him. “What are you thinking of,
sir?” said those, who were nearest to him; “what can be your
motive for thus exposing to certain death, a life which seems to
possess such flattering hopes? Have not the heads, which you have
seen ranged at the top of the gates of the city, inspired you with
horror? In the name of God, abandon this useless and fatal design,
and withdraw.”
The prince remained firm, notwithstanding all these remonstrances,
and instead of listening to the entreaties of these people, as he
saw that no one appeared to introduce him, he repeated the same
words as before, with an oath, which made every one shudder; and
they all exclaimed, “He is resolved to die; may God have pity on
his youth and on his soul!” He called out a third time, and the
grand vizier then came himself, by order of the king of China.
This minister conducted him into the presence of the king. The
prince no sooner perceived the monarch seated on his throne, than he
prostrated himself, and kissed the earth before him. Of all those
whose immeasurable presumption had brought their heads to his feet,
the king had not yet seen one so worthy of his attention, and felt
unfeigned compassion for Camaralzaman, when he considered the danger
to which he exposed himself. He even conferred greater honour on
him; he desired him to approach and seat himself by his side.
“Young man,” said he, “I have some difficulty in believing,
that at your youthful age you can have acquired sufficient
experience to dare to undertake the cure of my daughter. I wish you
may be able to succeed; I would bestow her on you in marriage, not
only without repugnance, but, on the contrary, with the greatest
possible pleasure and joy, whereas I should have felt truly unhappy,
if any of those who have applied before you had obtained her. But I
must declare to you, although it gives me pain to inform you of this
condition, that if you fail, neither your youth, nor your noble and
engaging appearance, can mitigate the penalty; and you must lose
your head.”
“Sire,” replied prince Camaralzaman, “I have infinite
obligations to your majesty for the honour you confer on me, and for
the kindness you show to one who is an entire stranger to you. The
country I come from is not so distant from your dominions, for its
name to be unknown there, and therefore render me indifferent to the
object I have in view. What would be said of my want of firmness,
were I to abandon so generous and praiseworthy a design after having
undergone so much danger and fatigue as I have already encountered?
Would not your majesty lose that esteem which you already entertain
for me? If I am to lose my life in the attempt, sire, I shall at
least die with the satisfaction of not losing that esteem after
having obtained it; I entreat you then not to let me remain any
longer in my present state of impatience, but to let me prove the
infallibility of my art by the means I am now ready to employ.”
The king of China commanded the eunuch, who was the guard of the
princess Badoura, and was then present, to conduct prince
Camaralzaman to the apartment of his daughter. But before he
departed, he told him he was still at liberty to relinquish his
enterprise. The prince, however, would not listen to him; he
followed the eunuch with a resolution, or rather with an ardour,
which astonished all.
Prince Camaralzaman went with the eunuch; and when they had reached
a long gallery, at the end of which was the princess’s apartment,
the prince finding himself so near the dear object which had made
him shed so many tears, and heave so many fruitless sighs, hastened
his pace and got before the eunuch; who also advanced quicker, and
had some difficulty to overtake him: “Where are you a going so
fast?” said he, taking hold of his arm. “You cannot get in
without me. You must be very desirous to get rid of life, to run so
eagerly into the arms of death. Not one of the astrologers I have
seen and conducted, where you will arrive but too soon, have shown
so much anxiety.”
“Friend,” said prince Camaralzaman, looking at the eunuch, and
slackening his pace, “the reason is, that all the astrologers you
speak of, were not so sure of their science as I am of mine; they
were certain of losing their lives if they did not succeed, and they
were not sure of success; they had, therefore, some reason to
tremble as they approached the place where I am going, and where I
am convinced I shall meet with happiness.” As he pronounced these
words they reached the door. The eunuch opened it, and took the
prince into a large room, which led to the chamber of the princess,
and was divided from it only by a slight door. Before he entered,
the prince stopped, and speaking in a tone of voice much lower than
before, lest he should be heard in her apartment, “To convince
you,” said he to the eunuch, “that neither presumption, caprice,
nor the fire of youthful ardour, have stimulated me to this
enterprise, I submit two ways to your choice: which do you
prefer--that I should cure the princess while in her presence, or
here, without going any farther, and without even seeing her?”
The eunuch was extremely astonished at the confidence with which the
prince spoke to him: he ceased to insult him, and speaking
seriously, “It does not matter,” said he, “whether it be here
or there. In whatever manner you accomplish the business, you will
acquire immortal glory, not only in this kingdom, but over all the
habitable world.”--“Then,” replied the prince, “it is better
that I cure her without seeing her, that you may be witness of my
skill. Whatever may be my impatience to see a princess of such high
rank, and who is to be my wife, I will nevertheless, to gratify you,
deprive myself for some moments of so great a pleasure.” As he was
furnished with every thing which was the distinguishing
characteristic of an astrologer, he drew out his writing apparatus
and some paper, and wrote the following note to the princess of
China:
“PRINCE CAMARALZAMAN TO THE PRINCESS OF CHINA.
“Adorable princess! the amorous prince Camaralzaman does not tell
you of the inexpressible woes he has endured since the fatal night
when your charms deprived him of that liberty which he had resolved
to maintain to the end of his life. He only assures you, that he
gave you his heart during your sweet sleep; a sleep that prevented
his viewing the animated brilliancy of your eyes, notwithstanding
all his efforts to induce you to open them. He even had the
presumption to place his ring upon your finger, as a token of his
love, and to take yours in exchange, which he sends you enclosed in
this note. If you will condescend to return it him as a reciprocal
pledge of yours, he will esteem himself the happiest and most
fortunate of lovers. But should you not comply, your refusal will
make him submit to the stroke of death with so much the more
resignation, as he will receive it for the love he bears you. He
awaits your answer in your anti-chamber.”
When prince Camaralzaman had finished this note, he made a small
packet of it with the princess’s ring, which he enclosed in it,
without letting the eunuch see what it contained; then giving it to
him, he said, “Take this, friend, and carry it to your mistress.
If she is not cured the moment she has read this note and seen its
contents, I allow you to proclaim to the world, that I am the most
worthless and impudent astrologer either of the past, the present,
or the future age.”
The eunuch went into the princess’s chamber, and presenting the
packet from prince Camaralzaman, he said to her, “Princess, an
astrologer, who, if I am not mistaken, has more assurance than any
who have yet appeared, is just arrived; and pretends, that you will
be cured as soon as you read this note, and see what it encloses. I
wish he may be neither a liar, nor an impostor.” The princess
Badoura took the packet and opened it with the utmost indifference;
but as soon as she saw the ring, she scarcely allowed herself time
to read it. She got up precipitately, and with an extraordinary
effort, broke the chain which confined her, ran to the door, and
opened it. The princess instantly recollected the prince, as he did
her. They ran into each other’s arms with the tenderest embraces,
and without being able to utter a word from excess of joy; they
looked at each other for a considerable time with emotions not to be
described, and mingled with surprise at the singularity of their
interview, after their former meeting, neither of which could they
comprehend. The nurse, who had run out with the princess, made them
go into the chamber, where the princess returned her ring to the
prince, “Take it,” said she, “I could not keep it without
returning yours, which I am resolved not to part with to the end of
my life. They cannot either of them be better disposed of.”
The eunuch, in the mean time, was gone to acquaint the king of China
what had passed. “Sire,” said he, “all the physicians,
astrologers, and others, who have hitherto presented themselves to
undertake the recovery of the princess, were only ignorant fools.
This last has not made use either of magic books, or of conjurations
of wicked spirits, or of perfumes, or other things, as they did; he
has cured her without even seeing her.” He related the manner in
which he had proceeded, and the king, most agreeably surprised, went
immediately to the apartment of the princess, whom he tenderly
embraced; he embraced the prince also, took hold of his hand, and
joining it to that of the princess, “Happy stranger,” cried he,
“whoever you may be, I keep my promise, and give you my daughter
in marriage. But it is not possible to persuade me, that you are
what you appear to be, and what you wished to make me believe.”
Prince Camaralzaman thanked the king in the most submissive terms,
the better to express his gratitude. “As for what I am, sire,”
continued he, “it is true, that I do not practise astrology for my
profession, as your majesty very rightly judged; I only put on the
habit of that character to ensure my success in deserving and
obtaining an honorable alliance with the most powerful monarch in
the universe. I am a prince by birth, the son of a king and a queen:
my name is Camaralzaman, and my father is called Schahzaman, and
reigns over the well-known islands of the Children of Khaledan.”
He then related his adventures, and the miraculous origin of his
love for the princess: that her affection for him was conceived at
the same time, both of which were fully proved by the exchange of
the two rings.
“So extraordinary a history,” cried the king, “deserves to be
handed down to posterity. I will have it written; and after having
deposited the original amongst the archives of my kingdom, I will
make it public, that from my dominions it may pass to the
neighbouring nations.” The ceremony of the nuptials was performed
on that very day; and the most solemn festivities and rejoicings
took place throughout the extensive dominions of China. Marzavan was
not forgotten: the king granted him free access to the court;
bestowing on him an honorable charge, with the promise of raising
him, in future, to others more considerable.
Prince Camaralzaman and the princess Badoura each arrived at the
summit of their wishes, enjoyed the blessings of the married state,
and for several months the king of China did not cease from
testifying his happiness by continual feasts and entertainments.
In the midst of these pleasures, prince Camaralzaman had a dream one
night, in which he thought he saw king Schahzaman, his father, in
bed, on the point of death, saying: “This son, whom I brought into
the world, whom I have so tenderly cherished, has abandoned me, and
he is the cause of my death.” He awoke with a deep sigh, which
waked the princess also, and made her inquire what occasioned his
unhappiness.
“Alas!” cried the prince, “perhaps at this very moment that I
am speaking, the king, my father, breathes no more.” He then told
her his reason for giving way to such melancholy thoughts. The
princess, who had no object but to give him pleasure, and who knew
that his earnest desire to revisit his father once more might
diminish the satisfaction he felt at residing with her in a country
so distant from his native home, said nothing at the time of her
intentions, but on that very day she availed herself of an
opportunity of speaking to the king of China in private. “Sire,”
said she, respectfully kissing his hand, “I have a favor to
request of your majesty; and I entreat you not to refuse it me. But
lest you should imagine that the prince, my husband, has any part in
my solicitations, I must first assure you, that he is not acquainted
with my intention. It is to permit me to accompany him to see my
father-in-law, king Schahzaman.”
“Whatever sorrow such a separation may occasion me,” replied the
king, “I cannot disapprove such a resolution; it is worthy of you,
notwithstanding the fatigue you must experience from so long a
journey. Go, I give my consent; but it is only on condition that you
remain no longer than one year at the court of king Schahzaman. He
will not, I hope, object to this proposal, and that we should each
see you by turns; he his son and daughter-in-law, and I my daughter
and son-in-law.” The princess announced this consent to
Camaralzaman, who was much rejoiced at it, and thanked her for this
new proof of her affection towards him.
The king of China gave orders for the necessary preparations for the
journey, and when every thing was ready he set out with them, and
accompanied them for several days. They at length separated, not
without many tears being shed on either side; the king embraced them
tenderly, and after having begged the prince to continue to love his
daughter with the same affection he then bore her, he left them to
continue their journey, and returned himself to his capital, hunting
by the way.
The prince and princess had no sooner dried their tears, than they
anticipated the joy that king Schahzaman would experience in seeing
and embracing them, and what they also would feel at being with him.
After they had been travelling about a month, they arrived on a
plain of vast extent, planted from space to space with trees, which
formed a very agreeable shade. As the heat on that day was
excessive, prince Camaralzaman thought it expedient to encamp on it.
He asked the princess Badoura if she had any objection to it, who,
in reply, said, that she was at that moment going to make the same
request of him. They immediately alighted in this beautiful spot;
and as soon as their tents were pitched, the princess, who had been
resting in the shade, retired to hers, while Camaralzaman went to
give orders to the rest of the party. In order to be more at her
ease, she took off her girdle, which her women placed by her side;
she then fell asleep through fatigue, and her attendants left her.
When prince Camaralzaman had given all necessary orders, and made
the requisite arrangements in the camp, he returned to the tent, and
as he perceived that the princess had fallen asleep, he came in and
sat down, without making any noise. While he was thus sitting, with
the intention of sleeping himself also, the girdle of the princess
caught his eye. He examined the different diamonds and rubies with
which it was enriched, one by one; and he perceived a small silk
purse, sewn neatly to the girdle, and tied with a piece of twist. On
touching it, he felt that it contained something hard: curious to
know what it was, he opened the purse, and took out a cornelian,
upon which there were different figures and characters engraven, all
of which were unintelligible to him. “This cornelian,” said he
to himself, “must certainly be of very great value, or my princess
would never carry it about with her, and take such great care not to
lose it.” In fact, this cornelian was a talisman, which the queen
of China had given to her daughter to ensure her happiness, which
she would ever enjoy, as long as she wore this about her.
In order to examine this talisman the better, as the tent was rather
dark, prince Camaralzaman went to the outside; when, as he was
holding it in his hand, a bird made a sudden dart from the air upon
it and carried it away.
Nothing could exceed the astonishment and grief of the prince, when
he perceived the talisman thus unexpectedly taken from him by the
bird. This accident, the most afflicting that could have befallen
him, and occasioned to by an ill-timed curiosity, deprived the
princess of a precious gift; this reflection rendered him for some
minutes motionless.
The bird having flown away with his prize alighted on the ground at
a little distance, with the talisman still in his beak. Prince
Camaralzaman went towards him in the hope of his dropping it; but as
soon as he approached, the bird flew a little way and then stopped
again. The prince continued to pursue him; the bird then swallowed
the talisman and took a longer flight. He again followed him,
thinking to kill him with a stone. The farther the bird got from
him, the more was Camaralzaman determined not to lose sight of him
and obtain the talisman.
Over hills and valleys the bird drew the prince after him for the
whole day, always getting farther from the spot where he had left
the princess Badoura; and at the close of day, instead of perching
in a bush, in which Camaralzaman might have surprised him during the
night, he flew to the top of a high tree, where he was in safety.
The prince, extremely mortified at having taken so much useless
trouble, deliberated whether he should return to his camp.
“But,” thought he, “how shall I return? Shall I climb the
hills and traverse the valleys over which I came? Shall I not lose
my way in the dusk of the evening, and will my strength hold out?
And even if I could, should I venture to present myself before the
princess without her talisman?” Absorbed by these disconsolate
reflections, and overcome with fatigue, with hunger, thirst, and
sleep, he laid down and passed the night at the foot of the tree.
The next morning Camaralzaman was awake before the bird had quitted
the tree, and he no sooner saw him take his flight than he got up to
pursue him, and followed him the whole of that day with as little
success as he had done on the preceding one, eating occasionally of
the herbs and fruits he met with in his way. He did the same till
the tenth day, always keeping his eye on the bird, and sleeping at
night at the foot of the tree where it perched on its highest
branches.
On the eleventh day, the bird constantly flying on, and Camaralzaman
as constantly pursuing, they arrived at a large city. When the bird
was near the walls, he rose very high above them, and bending his
flight to the other side, the prince entirely lost sight of him, and
with him the hope of ever recovering the talisman of the princess
Badoura.
Afflicted as he was in so many ways, and hopeless of procuring
relief to his sorrows, he entered the city, which was built on the
sea-shore, with a very fine harbour. He walked for a considerable
time along the streets, not knowing either where he was, or where to
go; at length he arrived at the harbour. Still more uncertain what
to do, he walked along the shore, till he came to the gate of a
garden, which was open, when he stopped. The gardener, who was a
good old man, engaged with his labour, happened to raise his head at
the same moment; he had scarcely perceived him, and known him to be
a stranger and a mussulman, before he invited him to go in quickly
and shut the gate. Camaralzaman did as he desired, and going up to
the gardener, asked him why he had made him take this precaution.
“It is,” replied the gardener, “because I see that you are a
stranger just arrived, and a mussulman; and this city is inhabited
for the most part by idolaters, who have a mortal aversion against
mussulmen, and treat even the few that are here very ill, who
profess the religion of our prophet. You, I suppose, are ignorant of
this circumstance, and I look on it as a miracle, that you should
have proceeded so far as this without meeting with any disagreeable
adventure. In fact, these idolaters are above all things attentive
to observe mussulmen strangers who arrive; and to make them fall
into some snare, if they are not aware of their wickedness. I praise
God, that he has conducted you into a place of safety.”
Camaralzaman thanked this good man very gratefully for the retreat
he so generously offered to shelter him from insult. He was going to
say more, but the gardener interrupted him: “Let us have no more
compliments,” said he, “you are fatigued, and you must want
food; come and rest yourself. He took him into his little house, and
after the prince had eaten a sufficiency of what the gardener had
set before him, with a cordiality that quite won his heart, he
begged of him to have the goodness to tell him the reason of his
coming.
Camaralzaman satisfied his curiosity, and when he had finished his
story, in which he disguised nothing, he asked, in his turn, by what
means he might get back to the dominions of the king, his father;
“For,” added he, “were I to attempt to rejoin the princess,
how should I find her, after eleven days, that I have been separated
from her by so extraordinary an adventure. How do I know even that
she still exists?” At this sorrowful reflection he could not avoid
bursting into tears.