answer. “The monarch, to whom you have addressed yourself,” he
replied, “is called Schahzaman, king of the Islands of the
Children of Khaledan, who has travelled for a great length of time,
with all the attendants you see, in search of his son, prince
Camaralzaman, who left his dominions many years ago, without making
him acquainted with it. If you should happen to know any thing
relative to him, you will afford the king the greatest possible
pleasure by giving him the information.” To this speech the
princes made no other reply than that they would come back in a
little time with an answer. They then set off at full speed to
Camaralzaman, to announce to him the cause of the arrival of the
last army, and that it belonged to king Schahzaman, who was there in
person.
Astonishment and joy, mixed with regret at having left the king, his
father, without taking leave of him, had so powerful an effect upon
Camaralzaman, that he absolutely fainted, as soon as he learnt that
his father was so near him. He, at length, through the assistance of
Amgiad and Assad, who did all they could to comfort him, returned to
his senses: and when he thought he had acquired sufficient strength,
he went and threw himself at his father’s feet. A more tender or
affecting interview between a parent and son had hardly ever been
witnessed. Schahzaman affectionately chided Camaralzaman for his
unkindness in leaving him in so unfeeling and cruel a manner: and
the latter showed the deepest regret and compunction at the fault,
which love alone had been the cause of.
The three kings and queen Margiana continued three days at the court
of the king of the Magi, who entertained them in the most
magnificent and splendid manner. These three days were also
remarkable for the marriage of prince Assad with queen Margiana, and
prince Amgiad with Bostana, in consideration of the essential
service she had afforded prince Assad. At length, the three kings
and queen Margiana with her husband, each retired to their separate
dominions. With respect to prince Amgiad, the king of the Magi, who
was at a very advanced age, felt so strong an attachment to him,
that he placed his crown upon his head. Amgiad then used all his
endeavors to abolish the idolatrous worship of fire, and instead of
it to establish the mussulman religion throughout his kingdom.
NOTES TO VOL. II.
Note 1. The Arabian author diverts himself in this place, at the
expence of the Jews. This is the ass, which, according to the
Mahometans, Esdras rode upon, when he returned from the Babylonian
captivity to Jerusalem.
Note 2. In the French translation, which was adhered to in the text,
there seems to be an error; 150 measures (the quantity the young man
had) sold for 110 drachms, a measure, according to the Christian
merchant, must amount to 16,500 drachms, whereas it is said to be
only 5000; consequently the merchant’s profit, which is there
stated to be only 500, at ten drachms the measure, is in fact 1500;
so also the 4,530 drachms mentioned a little farther on, ought to be
15,000 drachms.
Note 3. The bezestein is a sort of covered marketplace for
merchants, where the most valuable stuffs, jewels, &c. are sold.
Note 4. The fountain of Zemsem is at Mecca; and, according to the
Mahometans, it is the very spring which God made to flow in favor of
Hagar, when Abraham compelled her to go and find one. This water was
drank through religious motives, and was frequently sent as presents
to different princes, and their favorites.
Note 5. A scherif is the same as a sequin, each of which is nearly
equal to ten shillings of our money.
Note 6. The year 653, means that year of the Hegira; an epoch, from
which all the Mahometans reckon, and which corresponds to the year
1255 of the Christian æra. We may from hence conjecture, at least,
that these tales were in existence in Arabic at that time.
Note 7. The Arabian author seems here to be in an error respecting
the year 7320. The 653d year of the Hegira and the 1255 after the
birth of Christ, corresponds with the 1557 of the epoch of the
Seleucides, which is the same as that of Alexander the Great, and
which is here denominated Iskander with the two horns, according to
the Arabic mode of expression.
Note 8. The inns, or public places, where travellers and foreigners
lodge, are called, “khans,” in most of the eastern nations:
sometimes “caravanseras,” but these are chiefly, as their name
seems to import, for the use of the caravans.
Note 9. Mostanser Billah was raised to the dignity of caliph in the
623d year of the Hegira, that is, in the year 1226 of the Christian
æra. He was the 36th caliph of the race of the Abassides.
Note 10. See note 8 of the first volume.
Note 11. Almost all the eastern nations, and particularly all the
Mahometans, are forbidden to drink wine after their meals.
Note 12. The Bedouins are a tribe of wandering Arabs, who live in
the desert, and who constantly attack and plunder the caravans on
their journey, if they are not sufficiently numerous and strong to
resist them.
Note 13. The word “Schemselnihar,” in Arabic, signifies the Sun
of the Day.
Note 14. The name of “Camaralzaman,” in Arabic, means the Moon
of the Time, or the Moon of the Age.
END OF VOL. II.
End of Project Gutenberg's The Arabian Nights, Volume II of IV, by Anonymous