The king of the isle of Ebene rejoiced that he had got a

son-in-law so much to his satisfaction. The next morning he

summoned his council, and acquainted them with his design of

marrying his daughter to prince Camaralzaman, whom he introduced

to them, and made him sit down by them, taking the princess

Badoura for him; told them he resigned the crown to him, and

required them to obey and swear fealty to him. Having said this,

he descended from his throne, and the princess Badoura, by his

order, mounted it. When she was placed, the lords of the court

did her homage, and took an oath of allegiance. As soon as the

council broke up, the new king was proclaimed through the city;

several days of rejoicing were appointed, and couriers despached

all over the kingdom, to see the same ceremonies observed with

the like demonstrations of joy.

At night there was an extraordinary feasting at the palace-royal;

and the princess Haiatalnefous* [Footnote: This is an Arabic

word, which signifies Life and Soul.], dressed like a royal

bride, was led to the princess Badoura, whom every body took for

a man. The wedding was solemnized with the utmost splendour; and

the rites being performed, they were put to bed. In the morning

the princess Badoura went to receive the compliments of the

nobility in a hail of audience, where they congratulated her on

her marriage and accession to the throne. In the mean while, king

Armanos and the queen went to the apartment of the new queen

their daughter, and asked how she had spent the night. Instead of

answering them, she held down her head, and by her looks they

perceived that she was not contented.

King Armanos, to comfort the princess Haiatalnefous, bid her not

be troubled, as prince Camaralzaman might be in haste to go to

his father's court, and had not stopped at the isle of Ebene, if

it had not been in his way thither. Though we have engaged him to

stay by arguments with which he ought to be well satisfied, yet

it is probable he grieves to be all at once deprived of the hopes

of seeing either his father or any of his family. You must wait

till those first emotions of tenderness are over, and his filial

love wears off by degrees; he will then carry himself towards you

as a good husband ought.

The princess Badoura, under the name and character of prince

Camaralzaman, not only received the congratulatory addresses of

the courtiers and the nobility of the kingdom who were in and

about the city, but reviewed the regular troops of her household,

and entered on the administration of affairs as king with so much

majesty and judgment as gained her the general applause of all

who were witnesses of her conduct.

It was evening before she returned to queen Haiatalnefous's

apartment, and perceived, by the reception she met with, that the

bride was not at all pleased with the wedding-night. She

endeavoured to make her easy by a long discourse, in which she

employed all the wit she had (and that was as much as any woman

was mistress of) to persuade her she loved her entirely; she then

gave her time to go to bed; and while she undressed, herself she

went to her devotions; but her prayers were so long, that queen

Haiatalnefous was asleep before they were ended. She then gave

over, and lay down softly by the new queen, without waking her;

and was as much afflicted at being obliged to act a part which

did not belong to her, as in the loss of her dear Camaralzaman,

for whom she ceased not to sigh. She rose as soon as it was day,

before Haiatalnefous was awake; and, dressed in her royal rotes

as king, went to council.

King Armanos, as he did the day before, came early to visit the

queen his daughter, whom he found in sighs and tears; he wanted

no more to be informed of the cause of her trouble; he began to

resent the contempt, as he thought, which was put upon his

daughter, and could not imagine the reason of it. Daughter, said

he, have patience for another night. I raised your husband to the

throne, and can pull him down again; depend upon it, I will drive

him thence with shame, unless he gives you the satisfaction that

he ought to do. His usage of you has provoked me so much, I

cannot tell to what my resentment may transport me; the affront

is as much to me as to you.

It was late again before the princess Badoura came to queen

Haiatalnefous: she talked to her as she had done the night

before, and in the same manner went to her devotions, desiring

the queen to go to bed. But Haiatalnefous would not be so served;

she held her back, and obliged her to sit down again: What, said

she, do you think to deal by me this night as you have done the

two last? Pray tell me, what can you dislike in a princess of my

youth and beauty, who not only loves but adores you, and thinks

herself the happiest of all princesses in having so amiable a

prince for her husband? Any body but me would revenge the slight,

or rather the unpardonable affront that you have put upon me, and

abandon you to your evil destiny; however, though I did not love

you as well as I do, yet, out of pure good nature and humanity,

which make me pity the misfortunes of persons for whom: I am no

ways concerned, I could not forbear telling you that the king my

father is enraged against you for your carriage towards me, and

will to-morrow exert his fury in a manner I tremble to think of,

if you still use me as you have hitherto done. Do not therefore

throw into a despair a princess, who, notwithstanding your ill

usage, cannot help loving you.

This discourse embarrassed the princess Badoura more than any

thing she had yet met with; she did not doubt the truth of what

Haiatalnefous had said. King Armanos's coldness the day before

had given her but too much reason to see that he was highly

dissatisfied with her. The only way to justify her conduct was to

communicate her sex to the princess Haiatalnefous. She had

foreseen she should be under a necessity of discovering it to

her, yet, now she was about to make such a declaration, was

afraid how she would receive it: but, considering that if

Camaralzaman was alive, he must necessarily touch at the isle of

Ebene in his way to King Schahzaman his father's kingdom, that

she ought to preserve herself for his sake; and as it was

impossible to do it, if she did not let the princess

Haiatalnefous know who and what she was, she resolved to venture,

and try to get off that way.

The princess Badoura stood as one struck dumb; and Haiatalnefous,

being impatient to hear what she could say, was about to speak to

her again, when she stopped her by these words: Lovely and too

charming princess! I own I have been in the wrong, and I condemn

myself for it; but I hope you will pardon me, and keep the secret

I am going to reveal to you for my justification.

She then opened her bosom, and, showing her naked breasts,

proceeded thus: See, princess, if a woman, and a princesss like

yourself, does not deserve to be forgiven; I believe you will be

so good at least, when you know my story, and the terrible

affliction that forced me to act the part you see.

The princess Badoura, having discovered herself entirely to the

princess of the isle of Ebene, again prayed her to keep the

secret, and to accept her as a husband till prince Camaralzaman's

arrival, which she hoped would be in a little time.

Princess, replied Haiatalnefous, your fortune is indeed strange

that a marriage, so unhappy as yours was, should be rendered

unhappy by so unaccountable an accident, your love being

reciprocal, and full of wonders. Pray Heaven you may again meet

with your husband as soon as you desire! and be assured I will

keep the secret till he arrives. It will be the greatest pleasure

to me in the world to be the only person in the vast kingdom of

the isle of Ebene who knows what and who your are, while you

continue to govern the people as happily as you have begun: I

only ask to be your friend; nothing could be more to my

satisfaction. The two princesses tenderly embraced each other,

and, after a thousand vows of mutual friendship, lay down to

rest.

According to the custom of the country, the token of the

consummation of the marriage was to be produced and shown

publicly. The two princesses concerted a method to get over that

difficulty: queen Haiatalnefous's women, though cunning and

quick-sighted, were next morning deceived themselves, and king

Armanos, his queen, and the whole court, completely beguiled.

From this time the princess Badoura grew more and more in king

Armanos's esteem and affection, governing the kingdom to his and

his people's content, peaceably and prosperously.

While these things were transacting in the court of the isle of

Ebene, prince Camaralzaman staid in the city of idolaters with

the gardener, who had offered his house for a retreat till the

ship should sail for that island.

One morning, when the prince was up early, and, as he used to do,

was preparing to work in the garden, the gardener prevented him,

saying, This day is a great festival among the idolaters; and

because they abstain from work themselves, spending their time in

abominable mysteries and public rejoicings, they will not let

Mussulman work; who, to gain their favour, generally assist at

their shows, which are worth seeing; wherefore have nothing to do

to-day; I leave you here; and the time approaching in which the

ship uses to sail for the isle of Ebene, I will go to some of my

friends, and know when it will depart, and secure you a passage

in it. The gardener put on his best clothes, and went to the

feast.

When prince Camaralzaman was alone, instead of going to take part

in the public joy of the city, the solitude he was in brought to

his mind, with more violence, the loss of his dear princess: he

walked through the garden sighing and groaning, till the noise

which two birds made on a neighbouring tree, tempted him to lift

up his head, and stop to see what was the matter.

Camaralzaman was astonished at seeing these two birds fighting

with their beaks, and that in a very little while one of them,

fell down dead at the root of a tree; the bird that was

victorious took wing again, and flew away.

In an instant, two other large birds, that had seen the fight at

a distance, came from the other side of the garden, and pitched

on the ground, one at the feet, and the other at the head of the

dead bird: they looked upon it some time, shaking their heads, as

if they were grieved at the death of their departed friend; after

which, digging a grave with their talons, they interred the

defunct.

When they filled up the grave with the earth which they had

turned up to make it, they flew away, and returned in a few

minutes, bringing with them the bird that had committed the

murder, the one holding one of its wings in its beak, and the

other one of its legs; the criminal all the while crying out in a

doleful manner, and struggling to escape. They carried it to the

grave of the bird which it had lately sacrificed to its rage, and

there they made a sacrifice of it to the manes of the dead bird;

and, striking it often with their beaks, at last they killed the

murderer. They then opened its belly, tore out its entrails, left

its body on the place unburied, and flew away.

Camaralzaman remained in great astonishment all the time he stood

beholding this sight: he drew near the tree where this scene had

been acted; and, casting his eyes on the scattered entrails of

the bird that was last killed, he observed something red hanging

out of its body; he took it up, and found it was his beloved

princess Badoura's talisman, which had cost him so much pains and

sorrow, and so many sighs, since the bird snatched it out of his

hand. Ah, cruel! said he to himself, still looking on the bird,

thou hadst delight in mischief; so I have the less reason to

complain of what thou didst to me.

It is impossible to express prince Camaralzaman's joy. Dear

princess, continued he to himself, this happy minute, which

restores a treasure that is so precious to thee, is, without

doubt, a presage of our meeting again, and perhaps sooner than I

think of! Thank Heaven, who sent me this good fortune, and gives

me hopes of the greatest felicity that my heart can desire!

Saying this, he kissed the talisman, wrapped it up in a riband,

and tied it carefully about his arm. Till now he had been almost

a stranger to rest, his troubles always keeping him awake; but

the next night he slept soundly: he rose somewhat later next

morning than he used to do, put on his working clothes, and went

to the gardener for orders what he should go about. The good man

bid him root up an old tree that stood in a place to which he

directed him, and was decaying.

Camaralzaman took an axe, and began his work: cutting off a

branch at the root, he found that his axe struck against

something which resisted the blow, and made a noise; he turned up

the earth, and discovered a broad plate of brass, under which was

a stair-case of ten steps; he went down, and at the bottom

observed a cave of above six yards square, with fifty brass urns

placed in order around it, each urn having a cover. He opened

them all, one after another; and there was not one of them which

was not full of gold dust. He came out of the cave, rejoicing

that he had found such a vast treasure: he replaced the brass

plate on the stair-case, and next rooted up the tree, previous to

the gardener's coming to see what he had done.

The gardener had learned the day before that the ship which was

bound for the isle of Ebene would sail in a few days, though the

certain time was not fixed. His friend promised to inform him the

precise day, if he called on him to-morrow or the day after, and,

while Camaralzaman was rooting up the tree, he went to have his

answer. He returned with a joyful countenance, by which the

prince guessed he brought him good news. Son, said the old man,

(so he always called him on account of the difference between

their ages,) be joyful, prepare to embark in three days; the ship

will then certainly sail: I have taken a passage for you, and

settled the price with the captain.

In the condition I am at present, replied Camaralzaman, you could

not bring me more agreeable news, and in return I have also

tidings that will be as welcome to you. Come along with me, and

you shall see what good fortune Heaven has in store for you.

The prince led the gardener to the place where he had rooted up

the tree, showed him the way into the cave, and, when there, let

him see what a treasure he had discovered; thanking Providence

for rewarding his virtue, and the pains he had been at for so

many years. How, replied the gardener, do you imagine I will take

these riches as mine which you found out? The property of them is

yours; I have no right to them. For fourscore years, (so long my

father has been dead) I have done nothing but dig in this garden,

and could not discover this treasure, which is a sign that it was

destined to you by fate, or Heaven had revealed it to me. It

agrees with your quality as a prince, and suits your age, too,

better than mine: I am old, and have one foot in the grave, and

cannot tell what to do with so much wealth. Providence has

bestowed it upon you at a time when you are returning to that

country which will one day be your own, where you may make a good

use of it for the advantage of yourself, and the people over whom

you are to reign.

Prince Camaralzaman would not be outdone in generosity by the

gardener; they had a long dispute who should refuse it, for

neither of them would have it from the other. At last the prince

solemnly protested that he would have none of it, unless the

gardener would divide it with him, and take half. The good man

consented to please the prince; so they parted it between them,

which amounted to twenty-five urns each.

Having divided it, Son, said the gardener to the prince, it is

not enough that you have got this treasure; we must now contrive

to carry it so privately on board a ship, that nobody may know

any thing of the matter, otherwise you will run the risk of

losing it. There are no olives in the isle of Ebene, and those

which are exported hence are a good commodity there: you know I

have plenty of them; take what you will; fill fifty pots, half

with the gold dust, and half with olives; which being a common

merchandise from this city to that island, none will mistrust

that there is any thing but olives in the pots.

The counsel was good, and Camaralzaman followed it. The rest of

the day was taken up by him and the old Man in packing up the

gold and the olives in the fifty pots; and the prince, fearing

the talisman should come by any ill accident again, carefully put

it up in one of the pots, distinguishing it front the others by a

particular mark. [Footnote: This incident is also much the same

with one in the romance of Peter of Provence and the Fair

Maguelona.] When they were all ready to be shipped, the prince

retired into the gardener's hut with him; and discoursing

together, related the battles of the birds, with the circumstance

of the adventure in which he had found the princess Badoura's

talisman. The gardener was equally surprised and joyful to hear

it, knowing what trouble the prince had been at for its loss.

Whether the old gardener was quite worn out with age, or had

spent himself too much that day, he had a very bad night's rest:

he grew worse next day; and on the third day, when the prince was

to embark, was so bad, that it was evident he was near the point

of death. As soon as day began to dawn, the captain of the ship

came in person, with several seamen to the gardener's; and

knocking at the garden-door, Camaralzaman opened it, They asked

him where the passenger was who was to go with them: the prince

answered, I am he; the gardener, who agreed with you for my

passage, is extremely ill, and cannot be spoken with. Come in,

and let your men carry these pots of olives, and a few other

things, on board for me: I will only take leave of the gardener,

and then follow you to the water-side. The seamen took up the

pots and the baggage; and the captain desired the prince to make

haste; the wind being fair, they staid for nothing but him.

When the captain and his men were gone, Camaralzaman went to the

gardener to take leave of him, and thank him for all his good

offices; but he found him in the agonies of death; and had

scarcely time to bid him rehearse the articles of his faith,

which all good Mussulmen do before they die. The gardener made

the best efforts he could towards it, and expired in his

presence.

The prince, being obliged to hasten his departure, was at a loss

what to do; he was afraid he should lose his voyage if he staid,

and was very unwilling to leave his dead benefactor without

paying the last duties of a friend, according to their law. He

washed him, buried him in his own garden, (for the Mahometan's

had no church-yard in the city of the idolaters, where they were

only tolerated;) and though he did it as fast as he could, having

nobody to assist him, it was almost night before he had put him

in the ground. As soon as he had done so, he ran to the

water-side, carrying with him the key of the garden; designing,

if he had time, to give it to the landlord; otherwise to deposit

it in some trusty person's hand before witnesses, that he might

have it after he was gone. When he came to the port, he was told

that the ship had sailed several hours before, and was already

out of sight. It staid three hours for him; but, the wind being

fair, the captain durst not wait longer.

It is easy to imagine that prince Camaralzaman was exceedingly

concerned on being forced to stay in that country a year longer,

where he neither had, nor was willing to have, any acquaintance.

It was a sad thing to reflect how long he had to wait for the

lost opportunity: but what gave him the greatest affliction was

his missing the princess Badoura's talisman, which he now

concluded to be entirely lost. The only course that was left for

him was to return to the garden from whence he came, to rent it

of the landlord, and to go on with his gardening, that he might

deplore his misery and misfortunes by himself. He hired a boy to

help him to do some part of the drudgery; and, that he might not

lose the other half of the treasure, which came to him by the

death of the gardener, who died without heirs, he put the gold

dust in fifty other pots of olives, to be ready against the time

of the ship's return, and making the same voyage.

While prince Camaralzaman began another year of labour, sorrow,

and impatience, the ship, having a fair wind, sailed to the isle

of Ebene, where in due time she arrived at the capital city.

The palace-royal being by the sea-side, the new king, or rather

the princess Badoura, espying the ship as she was entering the

port, asked what vessel it was: she was answered, that it came

from the city of the idolaters, from whence it used to come every

year about that time, and was generally richly laden.

The princess, who always had prince Camaralzaman in her mind,

amidst the glories of her palace and power, imagined that the

prince might be on board; on which thought, she resolved, since

it might be so, to go on board the ship and meet him; not to

discover herself to him, (for she questioned whether he would

know her again), but to observe him, and take proper measures for

their making themselves mutually known. Her pretence was, to see

what merchandise was aboard, to have the first sight of the

goods, and to choose the most valuable for herself. She commanded

a horse to be brought, which she mounted, and rode to the port,

accompanied by several officers, who were in waiting at that

time, and arrived at the port just as the captain came ashore.

She ordered him to be brought before her, and asked whence he

came, how long he had been on his voyages and what good or bad

fortune he had met with; if he had no stranger of quality on

board, and with what his ship was loaded. The captain gave a

satisfactory answer to all her demands; and, as to passengers,

assured her there were none but merchants in his ship, who came

every year, and brought rich stuffs from several parts of the

world to trade with; calicoes stained or unstained; diamonds,

musk, ambergris, camphire, civet, spices, drugs, and olives.

The princess Badoura loved olives extremely: when she heard the

captain speak of them, Land them, said she; I will take them off

your hands. As to the other goods, let the merchants bring them

to me, and let me see them before they are disposed of, or show

them to any one.

The captain, taking her for the king of the isle of Ebene,

replied, Sir, there are fifty great pots of olives; but they

belong to a merchant whom I was forced to leave behind, I gave

him notice that I staid for him; but he not coming, and the wind

presenting, I was afraid of losing it, and so set sail. The

princess answered, It is no matter: bring them ashore; we will

drive a bargain for them, however.

The captain sent his boat to the ship and in a little time

returned with the pots of olives. The princess demanded how much

the fifty pots might be worth in the isle of Ebene. Sir, said the

captain, the merchant is very poor, and your majesty will not pay

too dear if you give him a thousand pieces of silver.

To satisfy him, replied the princess, and because you tell me he

is poor, I will order you a thousand pieces of gold for him,

which do you take care to give him. The money was accordingly

paid, and the pots carried to the palace.

Night drawing on, the princess withdrew into the inner palace,

and went to the princess Haiatalnefous's apartment, ordering the

olives to be brought thither. She opened one, to let the princess

Haiatalnefous taste them, and to taste them herself. Great was

her astonishment when she found the olives were mingled with gold

dust. What can this mean? said she: it is wonderful beyond

comprehension! Her curiosity increasing by so extraordinary an

adventure, she ordered Haiatalnefous's women to open and empty

all the pots in her presence; and her wonder was still greater

when she saw that the olives in all of them were mixed with gold

dust; but when she saw her talisman drop out of that in which the

prince had put it, she was so surprised that she swooned away.

The princess Haiatalnefous and her women brought the princess

Badoura to life again by throwing cold water in her face. When

her senses were restored, she took the talisman, and kissed it

again and again; but not willing that the princess

Haiatalnefous's women should hear what passed, and it growing

late, she dismissed them.

Princess, said she to Haiatalnefous, as soon as they were gone,

you, who have heard my story, must know that it was at the sight

of the talisman that I swooned. This is the thing which was the

fatal cause of my losing my dear husband, prince Camaralzaman;

but, as it caused our separation, so I foresee it will be the

means of our sudden meeting.

Next day, as soon as it was light, she sent for the captain of

the ship, and, when he came, spoke to him thus: I want to know

something more of the merchant to whom the olives belong which I

bought of you yesterday. I think you told me you left him behind

in the city of the idolaters: can you tell me what he does there?

Yes, sir, replied the captain; I can speak on my own knowledge,

and assure your majesty what I say is truth. I agreed for his

passage with a gardener, a very old man, who told me I should

find him in his garden, where he worked under him. He showed me

the place, and I went thither to call him; where I found what the

gardener had said to be true, and for that reason I told your

majesty he was poor. I spoke to him myself, and cannot be

mistaken.

If what yeu say be true, replied the princess Badoura, you must

set sail this very day for the city of idolaters, and bring that

gardener's man, who is my debtor; otherwise I will not only

confiscate all the goods belonging to yourself and the merchants

you have brought with you, but your and their lives shall answer

for your refusal. I have ordered my seal to be put on the

warehouses which contain your merchandise; nor shall it be taken

off till that man is brought here. This is all I have to say; go,

and do as I command you.

The captain could make no reply to this order, though to obey it

would be a great loss to him and his merchants. He acquainted

them with it; and they all very wisely considering that to lose

their goods and their lives would be a much greater, hastened him

away as fast as they could. They set all hands to work to load

the ship with provisions and fresh water for the voyage back, and

were so diligent, that she was ready to sail before night.

Accordingly, the captain weighed anchor, and made for the city of

the idolaters, where he arrived in a short time, the wind and

weather favouring him during the whole of the voyage. When he was

as near the city as he thought convenient, he would not cast

anchor, but let the ship ride off-shore; and, going into his boat

with as many hands as he wanted, he landed a little way off the

port, whence he went directly to Camaralzaman's garden.

Though it was about midnight when he arrived there, the prince

was not asleep. His separation from the fair princess of China,

his wife, afflicted him in the usual manner, and he lay awake

bemoaning his ill fortune. He cursed the day in which his

curiosity tempted him to touch the fatal girdle.

Thus did he pass those hours which are devoted to rest, and was

in these mournful meditations when he heard somebody knock at the

garden-door; he ran hastily to open it, half dressed as he was;

and had no sooner done it, than the captain and his seaman took

hold of him, and carried him by force to the boat, and so on

ship-board; when they set sail immediately, and made the best of

their way to the isle of Ebene.

Hitherto Camaralzaman, the captain, and his men, had not said a

word to each other. At last the prince broke silence, and asked

the captain, whom he knew again, why they had taken him away by

force. The captain, in his turn, demanded of the prince whether

he was not a debtor to the king of Ebene? I the king of Ebene's

debtor! replied Camaralzaman, in amazement; I do not know him; I

never had anything to do with him in my life, and never set foot

in his kingdom. The captain answered, You should know that better

than me; you will soon talk to him yourself; till then, stay here

and have patience.

The captain was not long on his voyage back to the isle of Ebene.

Though it was night when he cast anchor in the port, he landed

immediately; and, taking prince Camaralzaman with him, hastened

to the palace, where he demanded to be introduced to the king.

The princess Badoura was withdrawn into the inner palace.

However, as soon as she heard of the captain's return, and

Camaralzaman's arrival, she came forth to speak to him. As soon

as she cast her eyes on the prince, she knew the man for whom so

many tears had been shed, though he was still in his gardener's

habit. As for the prince, who trembled in the presence of a king,

as he thought her, to whom he was to answer for an imaginary

debt, it did not enter his thoughts that the person, whom he so

earnestly desired to see, stood before him. If the princess had

followed the dictates of her inclination, she would have run to

him, and, by embracing, discovered herself; but she put on

herself a constraint, believing that it was for both their

interests she should act the part of a king a little longer

before making herself known. She contented herself for the

present to put him into the hands of an officer who was then in

waiting, charging him to take care of him, and use him well, till

next day.

When the princess Badoura had provided for prince Camaralaman's

entertainment, she turned to the captain, whom she was now to

gratify for the important service he had done. She commanded

another officer to go immediately and take the seal off the

warehouse where the goods belonging to him and the merchants were

deposited, whom she discharged. She also gave the master of the

vessel a jewel worth much more than the expense he had been at in

both his voyages. She bade him, besides, keep the one thousand

pieces of gold he had got for the pots of olives; telling him she

would make up the account with the merchant he had brought with

him.

This done, she retired to the princess of the isle of Ebene's

apartment, to whom she communicated her joy, praying her still to

keep the secret. She told her how she intended to manage their

discovering themselves to each other, and to the kingdom; adding,

that so vast was the distance between a gardener and a great

prince, as he was, that it might be dangerous to raise him at

once from the lowest condition of the people to the highest

degree, though it was but justice it should be done. The princess

of the isle of Ebene was so far from betraying her, that she

rejoiced, and entered into the design; assuring her she would

contribute to it all that lay in her power, and do whatever she

would desire to serve them.

Next morning the princess of China ordered prince Camaralzaman to

be conducted to the royal baths, and apparelled in the robes of

an emir or governor of a province. She then went to the council,

with the name, habit, and authority, of king of the island of

Ebene. She commanded Camaralzaman to be introduced; and his fine

mien and majestic air drew upon him the eyes of all the lords who

were present.

The princess Badoura was charmed to see him again as lovely as

she had often seen him, and that pleasure inspired her to speak

the more warmly in his praise. When she addressed herself to the

council, having ordered the prince to take his seat among the

emirs, she spoke to them thus; my lords, Camaralzaman, the man

whom I have advanced to the same dignity with yourselves, is not

unworthy of the honour that is done him. I have known enough of

him in my travels to answer for him; and I can assure you he will

make his merit known to all of you, as well by his valour, as by

a thousand other shining qualities which distinguish him from the

rest of mankind.

Camaralzaman was extremely amazed to hear the king of the isle of

Ebene, whom he was far from taking for a woman, much less for his

dear princess, name him, and declare that he knew him, who, as he

thought, was certain he had never seen him before. He was much

more surprised to hear himself praised so excessively. However,

those eulogiums, excessive as they were, did not confound him,

though they came from the mouth of a king: he received them with

sueh modesty as showed that he deserved them, and did not grow

vain upon it. He porptrated himself before the throne of the

king; and rising again, Sir, said he, I want words to express ny

gratitude to your majesty for the honour you have done me: I

shall do all that lies in my power to render myself worthy of

your royal favour.

From the council-board the prince was conducted to a palace which

the princess Badoura ordered to be fitted up for him; where he

found officers and domestics ready to receive and obey his

commands, a stable full of fine horses, and every thing suitable

to the quality of an emir. When he was in his closet, the steward

of his household brought a chest full of gold for his expenses.

The less he conceived how it came about that he met with so much

good fortune, the more he wondered at it, never once imagining it

was owing to the princess of China.

Two or three days after, the princess Badoura made him

lord-treasurer, which office was then vacant, that he might be

nearer her person. He behaved himself in this new charge with

much integrity, and was so obliging to every body, that he not

only gained the friendship of the great, but also the affections

of the people, by his uprightness and bounty.

Camaralzaman, being the reigning favourite of the king of the

isle of Ebene, and in the esteem of all his subjects, would have

been the happiest man in the world, if he had had his princess

with him. In the midst of his good fortune he never ceased

lamenting her, and grieved that he could hear no tidings of her,

especially in a country which she must necessarily have passed in

her way to his father's court, and have arrived long before, if

she had not met with some ill accident by the way: he would have

doubted something, had the princess Badoura still gone by the

name of Camaralzaman, which she took with his habit; but, on her

accession to the throne, she changed it to that of Armanos, in

honour of the old king her father-in-law. There were very few

courtiers who knew that she had ever been called Camaralzaman,

which she assumed when she arrived at the court of the isle of

Ebene; nor had Camaralzaman so much acquaintance with any of them

as yet to inform himself further of her history.

The princess, fearing he might do it in time, and desirous he

should owe the discovery to herself only, resolved to put an end

to their mutual torments, for she had observed that, as often as

she discoursed about the affairs of his office, he fetched such

deep sighs as could be applied to nobody but her. She herself

lived in such constraint, that she could endure it no longer. Add

to this the friendship of the emirs and courtiers, and the zeal

and affection of the people; in a word, every thing contributed

to her putting the crown of the isle of Ebene on his head without

any obstacle.

The princess Badoura consulted the princess Haiatalnefous in

this, as she had done in the other parts of the adventure; and

both agreeing to have it done, she one day took prince

Camaralzaman aside, saying, I must talk with you about an affair,

Camaralzaman, in which I want your advice: it will not be so

proper to do it by day-light, for our discourse may be long, and

I would not be observed. Come hither in the evening: do not let

us wait for you; I will take care to provide you a bed.

Camaralzaman came punctually to the palace at the hour appointed

by the princess: she took him into the inner apartment; and,

having told the chief eunuch, who prepared to follow her, that

she had no occasion for his service, but only keep the door shut,

she carried him into a private apartment adjoining to the

princess Haiatalnefous, where she used to lie.

When she entered the chamber, where was a bed, she shut the door;

and, taking the talisman out of her pocket, gave it to

Camaralzaman, saying, It is not long since an astrologer

presented me with this talisman: you being skilful in all things,

pray tell me for what it is good.

Camaralzanrian took the talisman, and drew near a lamp to view

it. As soon as he knew it to be the princess's, he was

transported with pleasure, and she was no less pleased to see it.

Sir, said the prince, your majesty asked me what this talisman is

good for. Oh, king! it is only good to kill me with grief and

despair, if I do not suddenly find the most charming and lovely

princess in the world, to whom it belongs; whose loss I was the

occasion of, and of a strange adventure to me, the very recital

of which will move your majesty to pity such an unfortunate

husband and lover, if you have patience to hear it.

You shall tell me that another time, replied the princess; I am

very glad I know something of it already. Stay here a little, and

I will return to you in a moment.

At these words she went into her closet, put off her royal

turban, and in a few minutes dressed herself like a woman; and,

having the girdle round her which she had on the day of their

separation, she entered the chamber.

Prince Camaralzaman immediately knew his dear princess; he ran to

her, and tenderly embraced her, crying out, Ah! how much am I

obliged to the king, who has so agreeably surprised me!--Do not

expect to See the king any more, replied the princess, with tears

in her eyes: Let us sit down, and I will explain the enigma.

They sat down, and the princess told the prince her resolution,

when in the field where they encamped the last time they were

together, as soon as she perceived she waited for him to no

purpose; how she went through with it, till she arrived at the

isle of Ebene, where she had been obliged to marry the princess

Haiatalnefous, and accept of the crown, which king Armanos

offered as one of the conditions of the marriage; how the

princess, whose merit she highly extolled, took her declaration

of her sex; how she found the talisman in the pots of olives

mingled with the gold dust; and that her finding it was the cause

of her sending for him to the city of the idolaters.

When she had finished the relation of her adventure, she obliged

the prince to tell his. He informed her how the talisman

occasioned their separation, and the rest of the story relating

to him, as already told. They then bemoaned one another's ill

fortune, and rejoiced in their good: he complained of her with

the kindest expressions love could invent, chiding her tenderly

for making him languish so long without her; and she excused

herself with the reasons already related. After which, it growing

late, they went to bed.

The princess Badoura and prince Camaralzaman rose next morning as

soon as it was light; but the princess would no more put on her

royal robes as king; she dressed herself in her natural dress,

that of a woman, and then sent the chief eunuch to king Armanos,

her father-in-law, to desire he would take the trouble to come to

her apartment.

When the king entered the chamber, he was amazed to see a lady

there who was unknown to him, and the lord-treasurer with her, to

whom it was not permitted to come within the inner palace, nor to

any of the lords of the court. He sat down, and asked where the

king was.

The princess answered, Yesterday I was king, sir; but today I am

only princess of China, wife to prince Camaralzaman, the true son

of king Schahzaman. If your majesty will have patience to hear

our histories, I hope you will not condemn me for putting an

innocent deceit upon you. The king bade her go on, and heard her

discourse from beginning to end, with astonishment. The princess

finishing, said to him, Sir, though our religion does not suffer

men to have more wives than one, without some sort of scandal,

and we women do not easily comply with the custom men have

introduced to have several, yet if your majesty will consent to

give your daughter, the princess Haiatalnefous, in marriage to

the prince Camaralzaman, I will with all my heart yield up to her

the rank and quality of queen which of right belongs to her, and

content myself with the second place. If this precedence were not

her due, I would, however, give it her, being obliged to her for

keeping the secret so faithfully. If your majesty approves of it,

I am sure she will, and will pass my word that she will obey you

with joy.

King Armanos listened to the princess with admiration, and when

she had done, turned about to prince, Camaralzaman, saying, Son,

since the princess Badoura, your wife, whom I have all along

thought to be my son-in-law through a deceit of which I do not

complain, assures me that she will divide your bed with my

daughter, I have nothing more to do but to know if you are

willing to marry her, and accept of the crown, which the princess

Badoura should deservedly wear as long as she lived, if she did

not quit it out of love to you. Sir, replied prince Camaralzaman,

though I desired nothing so earnestly as to see my father, yet

the obligations I have to your majesty and the princess

Haiatalnefous are so weighty, that I cannot deny you any thing in

my power.

Camaralzaman was proclaimed king, and married the same day with

all possible demonstrations of joy; he being very well pleased

with the princess Haiatalnefous's beauty and love for him. The

two queens lived together afterwards as friendly as they had done

before, both being contented with king Camaralzaman's equal

carriage towards them; and they were alternately taken to his

bed.

Next year each brought him a son, and the births of the two

princes were celebrated with extraordinary feastings. The first,

whom the princess Badoura was delivered of, king Camaralzaman

named Amgrad, Most Glorious; and the other, who was born of queen

Haiatalnefous, Assad, Most Happy.

THE STORY OF THE PRINCES AMGRAD AND

ASSAD.

The two princes were brought up with great care, and, when old

enough, had the same governor, and the same master for the arts

and sciences which king Camaralzaman would have them learn; and

they had the same master for each exercise. The friendship which

from their infancy they entered into, occasioned an uniformity of

manners and inclinations which increased with their years. When

they were of age to keep a separate court, they loved one another

so tenderly, that they begged king Camaralzaman to let them live

together. He consented to it; and they had the same officers, the

same domestics, the same lodging, and the same table. King

Camaralzaman had so good an opinion of their capacity and

justice, that he made no scruple of admitting them into his

council at eighteen years old, and letting them by turns preside

there, while he took the diversion of hunting, or recreated

himself with his queens at his houses of pleasure.

The two princes being equally handsome, both in infancy and when

they were grown up, the two queens loved them with incredible

tenderness; in such a manner, however, that the princess Badoura

had a greater kindness for prince Assad, queen Haiatalnefous'

son, than her own; and queen Haiatalnefous loved Amgrad, princess

Badoura's son, better than her own son Assad.

The two queens thought at first that this inclination was nothing

but a friendship that proceeded from an exeess of their own for

each other, which they still preserved; but as the two princes

advanced in years, that friendship turned to a secret love, when

the graces that appeared in their youth blinded their reason.

They knew the criminality of their passion, and did all they

could to resist it; but their efforts proved vain. They were

accustomed to be familiar with them, to admire, to praise, to

kiss and caress them from their infancy, and could not desist

when they grew up, which inflamed their desires to such a height

that they could neither eat, drink, nor sleep. It was their and

the princes' ill fortune, that the latter, being used to be so

treated by them, had not the least suspicion of their infamous

desires.

The two queens had not discovered the secret of their passion,

nor had either the boldness to mention the prince she loved, by

word of mouth, or the guilty flame with which she burnt; they at

last resolved to do it by billet, and made use of king

Camaralzaman's absence to execute their wicked design, when he

was gone a hunting, which would take him up three or four days.

Prince Amgrad presided at the council-table the day of king

Camaralzaman's departure, and heard causes till three or four

o'clock in the afternoon. When he returned to the palace from the

council-chamber, an eunuch took him aside, and gave him a billet

from queen Haiatalnefous, Amgrad took it but read with horror.

Traitor! said he to the eunuch, as soon as he had read it

through, is this the fidelity thou owest thy master and thy king?

At these words he drew his sabre, and cut off his head.

Having done this, he ran in haste to the princess Badoura his

mother, bearing his resentment still in his looks, and showing

her the billet, told her the contents of it, and from whom it

came; but, instead of hearkening to him, she fell into a passion,

and said, Son, it is all a calumny and imposture: Queen

Haiatalnefous is a very discreet princess, and you are very bold

to talk after this rate. The prince was enraged at his mother, to

hear her speak so of him. You are both bad alike, said he and had

it not been for the respect I owe my father, this day should have

been the last of Haiatalnefous's life.

Queen Badoura might have imagined, by the example of her son

Amgrad, that prince Assad, who was as virtuous as the other,

would not be pleased with such a declaration of love as had been

made to his brother: yet that did not hinder her persisting in so

abominable a design; she wrote him a billet the next day, which

she trusted with an old woman belonging to the palace to convey

to him.

The old woman watched her opportunity to give it as he was coming

from the council-chamber, where he presided that day in, his

turn: the prince took it; and, reading it, fell into such a fury,

that, without finishing it, he drew his sabre, and punished the

old woman as she deserved. He ran presently to the apartment of

his mother queen Haiatalnefous with the billet in his hand; he

would have shown it to her, but she did not give him time crying

out, I know what you would have: you are as impertinent as your

brother Amgrad, Begone! and never come into my presence again.

Assad stood as one thunderstruck at these words, of which he

could not comprehend the meaning. When he recollected himself, he

was so transported with rage, that he had like to have given very

fatal demonstrations of his anger; but he contained himself, and

withdrew without making any reply, fearing, if he staid, he might

say something unworthy the greatness of his soul. Amgrad had put

the same constraint on himself; and, guessing by his mother's

carriage that she was altogether as criminal as queen

Haiatalnefous, went to his brother, to chide him, for not

communicating that hated secret to him, and to mingle his sorrow

with Assad's.

The two queens grew desperate when they found so much virtue in

the two princes; and, instead of reforming themselves, renounced

all sentiments of mothers and of nature, and conspired together

to destroy them: they made their women believe the two princes

had attempted to ravish them: they counterfeited the matter to

the life by tears, cries, and curses, and lay in the same bed, as

if the resistance they had made had wasted them so much, that

they were almost at death's door.

When Camaralzaman returned to the palace from hunting, he was

very much surprised to find them in bed together in tears; and

the part of desponding ladies was acted so well, that he was

touched with compassion, and asked them, with earnestness, what

had happened to them.

At this question, the dissembling queens wept and groaned more

bitterly than before; and, after pressing them again and again to

tell him, queen Badoura at last answered thus: Sir, our grief is

so extraordinary, and so just, that we ought not to see the light

of the sun nor live a day, after the violence that has been

offered us by the princes your sons. Their brutality is such,

that they entered into a horrid design in your absence, and had

the boldness and insolence to make attempts upon our honour. Your

majesty will excuse us from saying more; you may guess the rest

by our affliction.

The king sent for the two princes, and would have killed them

both with his own hand, if old king Armanos, his father-in-law,

who was present, had not held his arm. Son, said he, what are you

going to do? Will you stain your hands and your palace with your

own blood? There are other ways of punishing, if they are really

guilty.

He endeavoured thus to appease him, and desired him to examine

the matter, and see whether they did indeed commit the crime of

which they were accused. It was now a hard thing for Camaralzaman

to be so much master of himself as not to butcher his own

children. He ordered them to be put under arrest, and sent for an

emir called Giendar, whom he commanded to carry them out of the

city, and put them to death, as far off and in what place he

pleased; but not to return unless he brought their clothes back,

as a token of having executed his orders.

Giendar travelled with them all night, and early the next morning

alighted, telling them, with tears in his eyes, the cruel

commands he had received. Believe me, princes, said he, it is

next to death to obey your father, who chose me to execute what

he ordered concerning you. Would to Heaven I could avoid it! The

princes replied, Do your duty; we know well you are not the cause

of our deaths, and pardon you freely.

Then they embraced, and bid each other adieu with so much

tenderness, that it was a long time before they could leave one

another's arms. Prince Assad was the first who prepared himself

for the fatal stroke. Begin with me, Giendar, said he, that I may

not have the affliction to see my clear brother Amgrad die.

Amgrad opposed him in this; and Giendar could not, without,

weeping more than before, be witness of this dispute between

them, which showed how perfect and sincere their friendship was.

They at last determined the contest by desiring Giendar to tie

them together, and put them in the most convenient posture to

kill them at one blow. Do not refuse two unfortunate brothers the

poor comfort of dying together, said the generous princes; for

all things, even our innocence, are common between us.

Giendar agreed to it, and, as they desired, tied them to each

ether, breast to breast, close; and when he had placed them so as

he thought he might strike the blow with the more surety to

answer their request, and cut off their heads at once, he asked

if they had any thing to command him before they died?

We have only one thing to desire, replied the princes; which is,

to assure our father, on your return, that we are innocent; but

do not charge him with our deaths, knowing he is not well

informed of the truth of the crime of which we are accused.

Giendar promised to do what they would have him, and drew his

sabre. His horse, being tied to a tree just by, started at the

sight of the sabre, which glittered against the sun, broke his

bridle, and ran away with all speed into the country. Giendar set

a great price upon him, being a very good horse; besides, being

richly harnessed, the emir could not well bear the loss. This

accident so troubled him, that, instead of beheading the two

princes, he threw down his sabre, and ran after his horse to

catch him.

The horse gallopped on before him, and led him several miles out

of his way into a wood. Giendar followed, and the horse's

neighing roused a lion that was asleep not far off. The lion

started up, and, instead of running after the horse, made

directly towards Giendar, who thought no more of his horse, but

how to avoid the lion, and save his life. He ran into the

thickest of the wood, the lion pursuing him. Driven to this

extremity, he said to himself, Heaven had not punished me in this

manner, but to show the innocence of the princes whom I was

commanded to put to death; and now, to add to my misfortune, I

have not my sabre to defend myself!

While Giendar was gone, the two princes were seized with a

violent thirst, occasioned by the fear of death, notwithstanding

their steadfast resolution to submit to the king their father's

cruel order.

Prince Amgrad showed his brother a fountain not far off. Ah,

brother! said Assad, we have but a short time to live, and what

need have we to quench our thirst? We can bear it a few minutes

longer.

Amgrad, taking no notice of his brother's remonstrance, unbound

himself, and his brother likewise, whether he would or not. They

went to the fountain, and, having refreshed themselves, heard the

roaring of a lion, who, in pursuit of his prey, had got to the

end of the wood near where the princes were. They also heard

Giendar's dreadful cries; on which Amgrad seized Giendar's sabre,

which lay on the ground, saying to Assad, Come, brother, let us

go and help poor Giendar; perhaps we may arrive soon enough to

deliver him from the danger in which he now is.

The two princes ran to the wood, and entered it just as the lion

was going to fall upon Giendar. The beast, seeing prince Amgrad

advancing towards him with a sabre in his hand, left his prey,

and came against him with fury. The prince met him intrepidly,

and gave him a blow so forcibly and dexterously, that it felled

him to the ground.

When Giendar saw that the two princes were the men who saved his

life, he threw himself at their feet, and thanked them for the

great obligation he had to them, in words which sufficiently

showed his gratitude. Princes, said he, rising up and kissing

their hands, with tears in his eyes, God forbid that ever I

should attempt any thing against your lives, especially after

having so humanely and bravely saved mine! It shall never be said

that the emir Giendar was guilty of such ingratitude.

The service we have done, answered the princes, ought not to

hinder you from executing the orders you have received. Let us

catch your horse, and then return to the place where you left us.

They were at no great trouble to take the horse, whose mettle was

come down a little with running. When they had restored him to

Giendar, and were near the fountain, they begged and argued with

him to do as their father had commanded; but all to no purpose. I

only take the liberty to desire you, said Giendar, and I pray you

not to deny me, that you will divide my clothes between you, and

give me yours; and go so far, that the king your father may never

hear of you more.

The princes were forced to comply. Each of them gave him his

clothes, and covered themselves with what he could spare of his.

He also gave them all the gold he had, and took his leave of

them.

When emir Giendar parted from the princes, he passed through the

wood where Amgrad had killed the lion, in whose blood he dipped

their clothes; which having done, he proceeded on his way to the

capital city of the isle of Ebene.

On his arrival, king Camaralzaman asked him if he had done what

he ordered? Giendar, replied, See, sir, the faithful witnesses of

my obedience, giving him, at the same time, the clothes of the

princes.

How did they take the punishment I commanded to be executed on

them? Giendar answered, With wonderful constancy, sir, and a holy

resignation to the decrees of Heaven; which showed how sincerely

they professed their religion. But, particularly, they behaved

themselves with great respect towards your majesty, and an entire

submission to the sentence of death. We die innocent, said they;

however, we do not murmur; we take our death as from the hand of

Heaven, and forgive our father; for we know very well he has not

been rightly informed of the truth.

Camaralzaman was sensibly touched at emir Giendar's relation,

and, putting his hand into prince Amgrad's pocket, he found an

open billet. He no sooner knew that queen Haiatalnefous wrote it,

as well by a lock of her hair which was in it, as by her

handwriting, than he froze with horror. He then, trembling, put

his hand into the pocket of Assad, and, finding there likewise

queen Badoura's billet, his surprise was so great and so lively

that he swooned away.

Never did man grieve like Camaralzaman when he was recovered from

swooning. Barbarous father as thou art! cried he, what hast thou

done? Thou hast murdered thy own children, thy innocent children!

Did not their wisdom, their modesty, their obedience, their

submission to thy will in all things, their virtue; did not these

all plead in their behalf--Blind and insensible father! dost thou

deserve to live after the execrable crime which thou hast

committed? I have brought this abomination on my own head, and

Heaven chastises me for not persevering in the aversion to women

with which I was born. And, oh ye detestable wives! I will

not--no, I will not, as ye deserve--wash off the guilt of your

sins with your blood; ye are unworthy of my rage; but perdition

seize me if ever I see you more!

King Camaralzaman was a man of too much religion to break his

vow. He commanded the two queens to be lodged in separate

apartments that very day, where they were kept under strong

guards, and never afterwards saw them.

While the king of the isle of Ebene afflicted himself for the

loss of the princes his sons, of which he thought he had been the

author by too rashly condemning them, the royal youths wandered

through deserts, endeavouring to avoid all places that were

inhabited, and the sight of any human creature. They lived on

herbs and wild fruits, and drank only stinking rainwater, which

they found in the crevices of the rocks. They slept and watched

by turns at night, for fear of wild beasts.

When they had travelled about a month, they came to the foot of a

high mountain inaccessible for its cragginess; the stones being

black, and so rugged, that it was impossible to ascend over them

to the summit of the hill. At last, they discovered a kind of

path; but it was so narrow and difficult, they durst not venture

up it. This obliged them to go along by the foot of the mountain,

in hopes of finding a more easy way to reach the top. They went

round it five days, but could see nothing like a path; so they

were obliged to return to that which they had neglected. They

still thought it would be in vain to attempt going up by it. They

deliberated on what they should do for a long time; and at last,

encouraging one another, resolved to ascend the hill.

The more they advanced, they thought it was the higher and

steeper, which made them think several times of giving up the

enterprise. When one was weary, the other stopped, and both

rested together. Sometimes they were both so tired, that they

wanted strength to go further; then, despairing of being able to

reach the top, they thought they must lie down, and die of

fatigue and weariness. When they found they had recovered a

little strength, they would animate each other, and go on.

Notwithstanding all their endeavours and their courage, they

could not get to the top that day. Night came on, and prince

Assad was so much fatigued, that he stopped, and said to prince

Amgrad, I can go no further; I am ready to die. Stay as long as

you will, replied prince Amgrad; let us rest ourselves, and have

a good heart; it is but a little way to the top, and the moon

befriends us.

They rested about half an hour, when Assad having attained more

strength, proceeded on their way to the mountain's summit, where

they at last arrived, and lay down. Amgrad rose first, and,

advancing, saw a tree at a little distance: he went to it, and

found it was a pomegranate-tree, with large fruit upon it, and a

fountain near the foot. He ran to his brother Assad to tell him

the good news, and conducted him to the tree which grew by the

side of the fountain. They both refreshed themselves there by

eating each a pomegranate; after which they fell asleep.

Next morning, when they awoke, Come, brother, said Amgrad to

Assad, let us go on; I see the mountain is easier to be travelled

over on this side than the other; all our way now is down hill.

But Assad was so fatigued with the last day's journey, that he

wanted three or four days' repose to recruit his strength.

They spent them, as they had done many before, in discoursing on

their mother's inordinate desires, and deploring their

misfortunes. But, said they, since Heaven has so visibly declared

itself in our favour, we ought to bear them with patience, and

comfort ourselves with hopes that we shall soon see an end of

them.

At the end of three days' rest, the two brothers continued their

travels, and were five days in descending the hill before they

came into the valley. Then they discovered a great city, at which

they were very joyful: Brother, said Amgrad to Assad, are not you

of my opinion, which is, that you should stay in some place out

of the city, where I may come to you again, while I go to learn

the language, and inform myself of the name of the city, and in

what country we are? and when I come back, I will bring

provisions with me. It is not convenient for us to go there

together; there may be danger in it; and so much notice will not

be taken of one stranger as of two.

Brother, replied Assad, I approve of what you say; it is prudent;

but if one of us must part from the other on that account, I

cannot suffer that it shall be you; allow me to go; for what a

trouble will it be to me if any ill accident should happen to

you!

Ah! but, brother, answered Amgrad, the same ill accident you fear

for me, I am as much afraid of for you. Pray let me go; and do

you stay here with patience.--I will never yield to it, said

Assad: if any ill should happen to me, it will be some comfort to

think that you are safe. Amgrad was forced to submit; and Assad,

going towards the city, stopped in a grove at the foot of the

mountain.

Prince Assad took the purse of money which Amgrad had in charge,

and then proceeded towards the city. He had not gone far in the

first street, before he met with a reverend old man with a cane

in his hand: he was neatly dressed; and the prince taking him for

a man of note in the place, who would not put a trick upon him,

accosted him thus: Pray, my lord, which is the way to the

market-place? The old man looked on prince Assad, smiling: Child,

said he, it is plain you are a stranger, or you would not have

asked that question.

Yes, my lord, I am a stranger, replied Assad. The old man

answered, you are welcome then; our country will be honoured by

the presence of so handsome a young man as you are: Tell me what

business you have at the market-place?

My lord, replied Assad, it is nearly two months since my brother

and I left our own country, which is a great way from hence; we

have not ceased travelling ever since, and we arrived here but

to-day. My brother, fatigued with so long a journey, waits at the

foot of the mountain; and for him and myself I am come to buy

provisions.

Son, said the old man, you could not have come in a better time,

and I am glad of it, both for your and your brother's sake. I

made a feast to-day for some friends of mine, and a great deal of

victuals is left untouched. Come along with me; you may eat as

much as you please; and, when that is done, I will give you

enough to last your brother and you several days. Do not spend

your money when there is no occasion; travellers are always in

want of it; while you are eating, I will give you an account of

our city, which nobody can do better than myself, who have borne

all the honourable offices in it. It is well for you that you

happened to meet with me; for, I must tell you, all our citizens

cannot so well help and inform you as I can. I can assure you

that some of them are wicked. Come along; you shall see the

difference between a real honest man, as I am, and such as boast

to be so, and are not.

I am infinitely obliged to you, replied Assad, for your

good-will; I put myself entirely into your hands, and am ready to

go with you wherever you please.

The old man laughed in his sleeve to think that he had got the

prince in his clutches: he walked by his side as close as he

could; and, to preserve the favourable opinion which Assad had

conceived of him, he kept talking all the way with great civility

and politeness. Among other things, he said, It must be confessed

it was your good fortune to meet with me, rather than with any

other man; for which I thank God. When you come to my house, you

will know the reason why I express so much satisfaction at

meeting you.

Arriving at the old man's house, he introduced Assad into a hall,

where were forty such old fellows as himself, who formed a circle

round a flaming fire, which they adored. The prince was not more

seized with horror at the sight of so many men adoring the

creature for the Creator, than with the fear of finding himself

betrayed, and in such an abominable place.

While Assad stood motionless with surprise, the old cheat saluted

the forty grey-headed men round the fire: Devout adorers of fire,

said he, this is a happy day for us! Where is Gazban! Call him.

He spoke these words so loud, that a negro, who waited at the

lower end of the hall, came immediately to him. This black was

Gazban, who, as soon as he saw the disconsolate Assad, imagined

for what purpose he had been called; he therefore instantly

seized him, and with amazing nimbleness tied him hand and foot.

When you have done, said the old man, carry him down, and bid my

daughters, Bostava and Cavama, give him every day the bastinado,

and allow him only a little bread morning and evening for his

subsistence, sufficient just to keep him alive till the next ship

departs for the Blue Sea and the Fiery Mountain, when he shall be

offered up an agreeable sacrifice to our divinity.

As soon as the old man gave the cruel order, Gazban bore prince

Assad into a cellar underneath the hall, from whence they

proceeded through several dark rooms, till they came to a

dungeon, the descent to which was by twenty steps, where he left

him bound in chains of prodigious weight and bigness. Gazban then

went to give notice of it to the old man's daughters; but he

might have spared himself the trouble, their father having before

sent for them, and given instructions himself how they were to

proceed. Daughters, said he, I have just now caused a young

Mussulman to be secured in the dungeon; therefore, as you well

know how to do it, go instantly and give him the bastinado; and,

as you cannot better show your zeal for our divinity, and the

fire which you adore, than by your severity to him, do not be

sparing in the punishment you are to inflict.

Bostava and Cavama, who had been bred up in their hatred to

Mussulnien, received this order with joy: they descended

immediately into the dungeon, stripped Assad, and bastinadoed him

so unmercifully, that the blood issued out of the wounds, and he

was left almost dead. After this cruel execution, they put a

piece of bread and a pot of water by him, and retired.

It was some time before Assad recovered from the state of

insensibility in which they had left him; and, in reflecting on

his melancholy condition, he burst into a flood of tears,

bitterly deploring the misery with which he was surrounded. The

pleasing reflection, however, that this misfortune had not

happened to his brother Amgrad, gave him some degree of comfort

amidst his distress.

Prince Amgrad waited for his brother till the evening with great

impatience; but when it was two, three, and four of the clock in

the morning, and Assad not returned, his sorrow was so very

violent, that he grew almost desperate. He spent the night in

that dismal condition, and, as soon as it was day, went to the

city, which, on entering, he was surprised to see but very few

Mussulmen. He accosted the first he met, and asked him the name

of the place; who told him it was the city of the magicians, so

called because of the great number of magicians therein who

adored fire, and that there were but very few Mussulmen. Amgrad

then demanded how far it was to the isle of Ebene: he was

answered, that it was four months' voyage by sea, and a year's

journey by land. The man, having satisfied the prince as to these

two questions, hastily left him, and went about his business.

Amgrad, who was about six weeks coming from the isle of Ebene

with his brother Assad, could not comprehend how they came to

this city in so short a time, unless the way across the mountain

were much shortened, and not frequented because of the difficulty

of the pass.

Proceeding further through the town, he stopped at a tailor's

shop, whom he knew to be a Mussulman by his habit, as he had

likewise known the man with whom he had just before conversed.

Having saluted him, he sat down, and told him the occasion of

troubling him.

When prince Amgrad had done speaking, the tailor replied, If your

brother has fallen into the hands of some magician, depend upon

it you will never more see him; he is irrecoverably lost: Comfort

yourself, therefore, as well as you can, and beware of falling

into the same misfortune; to avoid which, I would advise you to

stay for some time at my house, and I will acquaint you with all

the tricks of these magicians, that, when you go from hence, you

may take the more care of yourself by being guarded against them.

Amgrad, impressed with the deepest concern for the loss of his

brother, accepted the tailor's offer, and returned him a thousand

thanks for his kindness.

THE STORY OF PRINCE AMGRAD, AND A LADY OF

THE CITY OF THE MAGICIANS.

Prince Amgrad went not out of the tailor's house for a whole

month, without his host accompanying him; at last, however, he

ventured to go to the baths. Returning home through a street in

which there was nobody but himself and a lady, he was surprised

at her approaching him unveiled. The lady, seeing a handsome

young man just come out of the bath, asked him, with a smiling

air, whither he was going? casting, at the same time, such

amorous glances, that Amgrad could not possibly resist her

charms. Madam, said he, I am going to my own house or yours, as

you please.

My lord, replied the lady, with an agreeable smile, ladies of my

quality never take men to their own houses; they always go to the

men's.

At this unexpected answer of the lady, Amgrad was very much

confounded; he durst not venture to take her home to his

landlord's, fearing that he would be so highly displeased with

him as to withdraw his protection, of which, considering he was

in a place where he must always be upon his guard, he stood in

too much need. Quite unacquainted with the city, he knew not

where to carry her, and yet was unwilling to lose so happy an

opportunity. In this uncertainty he resolved to leave it to

chance, and therefore, without returning an answer, he went

forwards, the lady following him. Amgrad led her through so many

streets, lanes, and alleys, that both grew weary with walking: at

last, however, they came into a street, having a great gate at

the end of it, which, being shut, prevented their going further.

The gate, which had a seat on each side of it, belonged to a

house fronting the street. Amgrad sat himself down on one seat to

take breath, and the lady, being also much fatigued, seated

herself on the other.

She then inquired of the prince, whether the house belonged to

him. Yes, madam, said Amgrad. Why, then, do not you enter?

replied the lady. Whom do you wait for? Fair lady, answered the

prince, I have not got the key of the gate; I left it with my

slave, who, being sent on an errand, is not yet returned:

besides, having been ordered to provide something good for

dinner, I am afraid we shall be under the disagreeable necessity

of waiting a long time for him.

The prince met with so many difficulties in satisfying her

passion, that he began to repent of having undertaken it; he

therefore contrived this answer, in hopes that the lady, out of

resentment, would have left him, and gone in pursuit of another

lover; but he was mistaken.

Your slave is an impertinent fellow, said madam, to stay so long:

when he comes back, I will chastise him myself as he deserves, if

you refuse to do it. It is by no means decent to sit here alone

with a man to whom I am an entire stranger. She then rose, and,

taking up a stone, began to force open the lock of the gate,

which being only made of wood, after the country manner, was very

weak.

Amgrad did all he could to hinder her: What are you doing, madam?

said the prince. For Heaven's sake, stay a little! What are you

afraid of? replied the lady; is it not your house? The breaking

of the lock will be no great damage; a new one can be purchased

at a trifling expense. She accordingly broke it open, and entered

the house.

Amgrad, when he saw the door forced open, gave himself up as a

lost man: he reflected whether it would be more advisable to go

into the house, or to retreat as fast as he could, to avoid the

danger which he believed inevitable, and was just going to have

recourse to the latter, when the lady returned.

Seeing that he did not enter, Why do not you come into your

house? said she. Fearing we have nothing ready, answered the

prince, I am looking to see if my slave is coming. Come in, come

in, said madam; it will be more prudent to wait within doors than

without.

Amgrad, though with great reluctance, followed her into the

house. After passing through a spacious court, which had been

newly paved, they ascended by several steps into piazzas, which

led to a large, open, and well-furnished hall, where he and the

lady saw a table ready spread with all sorts of delicate dishes,

a side-board heaped with fruit, and a cistern full of bottles of

wine.

When Amgrad saw everything in such order, he doubted not that he

was undone, the quality of the owner appearing by the richness of

the feast. Poor Amgrad! said he to himself, thou wilt soon follow

thy dear brother Assad!

The lady, on the contrary, being transported at the sight, cried

out, How, my lord, did you fear there was nothing ready? Your

slaves, you see, have done more than you expected. But, if I am

not mistaken, these preparations were made for some other lady,

and not for me. No matter; let her come; I promise you I will not

be jealous: I only beg the favour of being permitted to wait on

her and you.

Amgrad, though much concerned at this accident, could not help

laughing at the lady's pleasantry. Madam, said he, thinking of

something else besides what perplexed him, there is nothing in

what you fancy; this is my common dinner, and no exraordinary

preparations, I assure you. He could not prevail on himself to

sit at a table which was not prepared for him; he therefore took

his seat on a sofa [Footnote: A Turkish bench on which mats and

cushions are put.]; but the lady still kept teasing him with her

importunities. Come, sir, said she, you must certainly be hungry

after bathing; let us eat and enjoy ourselves.

Amgrad, complying at last with her request, sat down to table.

The lady, having eaten a bit, took a bottle and glass, and poured

out some wine; then, having drunk to Amgrad, filled another and

presented it to him, who pledged her. The more the prince

reflected on this adventure, the more he was anaazed that the

master of the house did not appear, and that a house so elegant

and well furnished should be left without a servant. It will be

lucky, said he to himself, if the man of the house does not come

till I am got clear of this intrigue. While he was indulging this

and some other troublesome thoughts, the lady ate and drank

heartily, obliging him to do the same; and they were almost come

to the last course when the master of the house arrived.

It happened to be Bahader, master of the horse to the king of the

magicians, to whom this house belonged; but, generally residing

in another, he seldom visited it, unless to regale himself with

two or three chosen friends. On such occasions he always sent

provisions from his other house by some of his servants, who were

just gone as the lady and Amgrad entered.

Bahader, as usual, came in disguise, and without attendants, a

little while before the time appointed for his friends coming,

and was not a little surprised to see the door of his house

broken open: he entered without making a noise; but hearing some

persons talking and making merry in the hall, he crept along by

the side of the wall, and put his head half way within the door

to see who they were.

Perceiving a young gentleman and a young lady eating, at his

table, the victuals which he had provided for his friends and

himself, and that there was no great harm done, he resolved to

make a jest of it.

The lady, who sat with her back towards the dooi, did not see the

master of the horse; but Amgrad, who had the glass in his hand,

and was just going to drink, observed him immediately: his

countenance instantly changed at the sight of Bahader, who made a

sign not to say a word, but to come and speak with him.

Amgrad drank and rose: Where are you going? said the lady. The

prince answered, Pray, madam, stay here a little; I shall return

in a minute; a small affair obliges me to go out at present.

Bahader waited for him in the piazza, and led him into the court,

to talk to him without being heard by the lady.

When Bahader and prince Amgrad were in the court, Bahader

demanded of the prince, how the lady came into his house, and why

they broke open his door? My lord, replied Amgrad, you may very

reasonably think me guilty of a very unwarrantable action; but if

you will have patience to hear me, I hope my innocence will

appear. He then told Bahader, in few words, what had happened,

without disguising any part of the truth; and, to convince him

that he was not capable of being so criminal as he might think,

he declared himself a prince, and related the reason of his

coming to the city of the magicians.

Bahader, who naturally loved strangers, was transported with an

opportunity of obliging one of Amgrad's rank and quality; for by

his air, his actions, his handsome discourse, and his noble look,

he did not in the least doubt the truth of what he had said,

Prince, said Bahader, I am very glad I can oblige you in so

pleasant an adventure as this; and, so far from disturbing the

feast, it will be a pleasure to me to contribute to your

satisfaction in any thing. My name is Bahader; I am master of the

horse to the king of the magicians. I commonly dwell in another

house, which I have in the city, but come here sometimes to have

the more liberty with my friends, for I cannot be so free at home

among my children and domestics. As you have made this lady

believe that you have a slave, I will support your assertion by

personating the character; and, to spare your excuses, I repeat

that it shall positively be so; you will presently know my reason

for it. Go to your place, and continue to divert yourself: when I

return, and come before you in a slave's habit, chide me for

staying so long; do not be afraid even to strike me. I will wait

upon you all the while you are at table till night: you shall

sleep here, and so shall the lady; and tomorrow morning you may

send her home with honour. I shall afterwards endeavour to do you

more important services. Go, and lose no time.

Amgrad would have made an excuse, but the master of the horse

would not let him, forcing him to go to the lady. He had scarcely

entered the hall before Balmder's friends arrived. Bahader called

them to him, and apologized his not entertaining them that day,

telling them they would approve of the reason when they knew it,

which should be in due time. When they were gone, he also went

forth, and dressed himself in a slave's habit.

Prince Amgrad approached the lady in a much better humour than

when he left her, on finding that the house belonged to a man of

quality, who had received him so courteously. As he sat down to

table again, he said, Madam, I beg a thousand pardons for my

rudeness; I was vexed that my slave should tarry so long: the

rascal shall pay for it when he comes: I will teach him to use me

so another time.

Let not that trouble you, said the lady, if he is guilty of any

faults, let him pay for it; do not think of him; we can enjoy

ourselves without him, I warrant. Amgrad continued at the table

with the more pleasure, being under no apprehensions at the

consequence of the lady's indiscretion, who ought not to have

broken open the door, had it even been Amgrad's own house. They

drank and laughed, and drank again, till Bahader arrived,

disguised as a slave.

Bahader entered like one who feared his master's displeasure for

staying out when he had company with him: he fell down at his

feet, and kissed the ground, to implore his clemency; and, when

he had done, stood behind him with his hands across, in

expectation of his commands.

Sirrah! said Amgrad, with a fierce tone and a fiery look, is

there such a slave as thou in all the world? Where have you been?

What have you been doing, that you came no sooner? My lord,

replied Bahader, I ask your pardon; I was endeavouring to do as

you ordered me, and could not despatch it sooner: besides, I did

not think you would come home so early.

You are a rascal! said Amgrad; and I shall bang your sides for

you, to teach you to lie, and to fail me another time. He then

rose up, took a stick, and gave him two or three blows, but so

slightly, that he hardly felt it; after which he sat down to

table again.

The lady, not satisfied with the chastisement Amgrad had bestowed

on him, also rose, took the stick, and struck Bahader so

unmercifully, that the tears came into his eyes. Amgrad, offended

at such freedom, and knowing that the pretended slave was not a

proper object of resentment, cried out, It is enough: but she

continued her rude discipline, regardless of the prince's

intercession: Let me alone with him, said she; I will punish him

severely, and I warrant that he will be more expeditious in

future. But, repeating her blows, Amgrad rose from the table, and

forced the stick out of her hand; which, however, she did not

give up without some difficulty. When she found that she could

beat Bahader no longer, she sat down, and railed at and cursed

him.

Baliader wiped his eyes, and stood behind his fictitious master

to fill out wine. When he saw they had done eating and drinking,

he took away the cloth, and put every thing in its place; and,

night coming on, lighted up the lamps. As often as he passed the

lady, she muttered and threatened him, and gave him abusive

language, to Amgrad's great disliking, who would have hindered

her, if he could. When it was time to retire, Bahader prepared a

bed for them, and withdrew into a chamber over against that where

they were to lie, and laid himself down, and soon fell asleep,

having been fatigued with his beating. Amgrad and the lady

entertained one another a good half hour afterwards; but the lady

wanting to go forth before she went to bed, passed through the

gallery that parted Bahader's chamber from theirs; and hearing

him snore, and seeing a sabre hanging up by him, she turned back

again, and said to prince Amgrad, Pray, my lord, as you love me,

do me one favour. In what can I serve you? replied the prince.

The lady answered, Oblige me so far as to take down your sabre,

and cut off your slave's head. Amgrad was astonished at such a

proposal from a lady, and doubted not it was the wine she had

drunk that instigated her. Madam, said he, let my slave alone; he

is not worthy of your notice. I have beaten him, and you have

beaten him; it is sufficient: I am very well satisfied with him;

he is seldom guilty of such faults.

That shall not do! replied the lady in a violent fury; the rogue

shall die, if not by your hands, by mine! Saying this, she ran

and took down the sabre from the place where it hung, drew it out

of the scabbard, and was going to execute her wicked design.

Amgrad, to prevent her, took the sabre out of her hand, saying,

You shall be satisfied; madam; the slave shall die, since you

will have it so: but I shall be sorry that any one but myself

should kill him. When she had given him the sabre, Come, follow

me, said he; make no noise, lest we wake him. They went into the

chamber, where Amgrad, instead of gratifying the lady's desire,

struck at her with the weapon, and severing her head with the

blow, it fell upon Bahader.

Had not the noise of the blow which Amgrad gave the lady, in

cutting off her head, wakened Bahader, her head falling upon him

would have done it: he was amazed to see Amgrad with a sabre

covered with blood, and the body of the lady lying headless on

the ground. The prince told him what had passed; and, ending his

discourse, said, I had no other way to hinder her from killing

you, she was so transported with fury against you. My lord,

replied Bahader, full of gratitude, persons of your rank, and so

generous as you, are not capable of doing so wicked an action as

she desired of you. You are my deliverer, and I cannot enough

thank you. After embracing him, in order to show him what sense

he had of his obligations, he said, We must carry this corpse out

before it is quite day. Leave it to me; I will do it. Amgrad

would not agree to that, saying that he would carry it away

himself, since he had done the deed. Bahader replied, You are a

stranger in this city, and will not come off so well as one who

is acquainted here: I must do it, if for no other reason than

both our safeties, to prevent our being questioned for her death.

Stay you here; and if I do not come back before day, you may be

sure the watch has taken me: and, for fear of the worst, I will

by a writing give you this house and furniture for your

habitation while you stay in this city.

When he had written, signed, and delivered the paper to prince

Amgrad, he put the lady's body and head in a bag, took it on his

shoulder, and went out with it from one street to another, taking

the way to the sea-side; but he had not gone far before he was

met by one of the judges of the city, going the rounds in person,

as was usual for the chief magistrates to do there. Bahader was

stopped by the judge's followers, who, opening the bag, found the

body of a murdered lady, bundled up with the head. The judge, who

knew the master of the horse notwithstanding his disguise, took

him home to his house; and, not daring to put him to death

without telling the king, because of his quality, he conveyed him

to court as soon as it was day. As soon as the king had heard

from the judge what a foul action the master of the horse had

been guilty of, as appeared by the circumstances of the matter,

he upbraided him in these words: Is it thus, then, that you rob

and murder my subjects, and then would throw their dead bodies

into the sea to hide your villany? Let us rid the world of such a

monster; go hang him up immediately!

Innocent as Bahader was, he received his sentence of death with

perfect resignation, and said not a word to justify himself. The

judge escorted him to his house; and, while the gallows was

preparing, sent a crier to publish throughout the city, that at

noon the master of the horse was to be hanged for committing a

murder.

Prince Amgrad, who had in vain expected Bahader's return, was in

a terrible consternation when he heard the crier publish the

approaching execution of the master of the horse. If, said he to

himself, somebody must die for the death of such a wicked woman,

it is I, and not Bahader; I will never let an innocent man be

punished for the guilty: and, without deliberating any more,

hastened to the place of execution, whither the people were

running from all parts.

When Amgrad saw the judge bringing Bahader to the gibbet, he went

up to him, and said, I am come to tell you, and to assure you,

that the master of the horse, whom you are leading to execution,

is wholly innocent of the lady's death: I am guilty of the crime,

if it is one to have killed the most detestable of women, who

would have murdered Bahader. So he told him the affair as it had

happened.

The prince having informed the judge how he met her coming out of

the bath; how she was the cause of going into the master of the

horse's house of pleasure, and what had passed till the moment in

which he was forced to cut off her head to save Bahader's life;

the judge ordered the execution to be stopped, and conducted

Amgrad to the king, taking the master of the horse with them.

The king had a mind to hear the story from Amgrad himself; and

the prince, the better to prove his own and the master of the

horse's innocence, embraced that opportunity to discover his

quality, with all the accidents that had befallen him and his

brother Assad, before and after their departure from the capital

city of the isle of Ehene to that time.

The prince having done speaking, the king said, I rejoice that I

have by this means come to the knowledge of you. I not only give

you your own and my master of the horse's life, whom I commend

for his civility to you, but I restore him to his office: and as

for you, prince, I declare you my grand vizier, to make amends

for your father's unjust usage of you, though it is also

excusable; and I permit you to employ all the authority I now

give you to find out prince Assad.

Prince Amgrad having thanked the king of the city and country of

magicians for the honour he had done him, and taken possession of

his office of grand vizier, ordered the common crier to promise a

great reward to any one who should bring forth prince Assad, or

tell any tidings of him. He sent men up and down the country to

the same purpose; but, notwithstanding all his and their

diligence, they could hear nothing.