At the usual hour, Dinarzade called upon the sultaness thus: Dear
sister, pray tell us what was the fate of the magician queen, as you
promised us. Upon which Scheherazade went on thus: The enchantress
had no sooner sprinkled the water, and pronounced some words over
the fishes and the pond, but the city was immediately restored. The
fishes became men, women, and children: Mahometans, Christians,
Persians, or Jews; freemen or slaves, as they were before; every one
having recovered their natural form. The houses and shops were
immediately filled with their inhabitants, who found all things as
they were before the enchantment. The sultan’s numerous retinue,
who found themselves encamped in the largest square, were astonished
to see themselves in an instant in the middle of a large, handsome,
well-peopled city.
To return to the enchantress: as soon as she had effected this
wonderful change, she returned with all diligence to the Palace of
Tears, that she might reap the fruits of it. My dear lord, cried
she, as she entered, I come to rejoice with you for the return of
your health. I have done all that you required of me; then pray
rise, and give me your hand. Come near, said the sultan, still
counterfeiting the language of the blacks. She did so. You are not
near enough, replied he; come nearer. She obeyed. Then he rose up,
and seized her by the arm so suddenly, that she had not time to
discover who it was, and with a blow of his scimitar cut her in two,
so that one half fell one way and the other another. This done, he
left the carcass upon the place; and going out of the Palace of
Tears, he went to seek the young king of the Black Isles, who waited
for him with great impatience; and when he found him, Prince, said
he, embracing him, rejoice; you have nothing to fear now, your cruel
enemy is dead.
The young prince returned thanks to the sultan in such a manner as
shewed that he was thoroughly sensible of the kindness that he had
done him, and in return, wished him a long life and all happiness.
You may henceforward, said the sultan, dwell peaceably in your
capital, except you will go to mine, which is so near, where you
shall be very welcome, and have as much honour and respect shewn you
as if you were at home. Potent monarch, to whom I am so much
indebted, replied the king, you think, then, that you are very near
your capital? Yes, said the sultan, I know it; it is not above four
or five hours’ journey. It will take you a whole year’s journey,
said the prince. I do believe, indeed, that you came hither from
your capital in the time you spoke of, because mine was enchanted;
but since the enchantment is taken off, things are changed: however,
this shall not prevent my following you, were it to the utmost
corners of the earth. You are my deliverer; and that I may give you
proofs of my acknowledging this during my whole life, I am willing
to accompany you, and to leave my kingdom without regret.
The sultan was extremely surprised to understand that he was so far
from his dominions, and could not imagine how it could be. But the
young king of the Black Isles convinced him beyond the possibility
of doubt. Then the sultan replied, It is no matter, the trouble of
returning to my own country is sufficiently recompensed by the
satisfaction of having obliged you, and by acquiring you for a son:
for since you will do me the honour to accompany me, as I have no
child, I look upon you as such; and from this moment I appoint you
my heir and successor.
This discourse between the sultan and the king of the Black Islands
concluded with the most affectionate embraces; after which the young
prince was totally taken up in making preparations for his journey,
which were finished in three weeks’ time, to the great regret of
his court and subjects, who agreed to receive at his hands one of
his nearest kindred for their king.
At last the sultan and the young prince began their journey, with a
hundred camels laden with inestimable riches from the treasury of
the young king, followed by fifty handsome gentlemen on horseback,
perfectly well mounted and dressed. They had a very happy journey;
and when the sultan, who had sent couriers to give advice of his
delay, and of the adventure which had occasioned it, came near his
capital, the principal officers he had left there came to receive
him, and to assure him that his long absence had occasioned no
alteration in his empire. The inhabitants came out also in great
crowds, receiving him with acclamations, and made public rejoicings
for several days.
Next day after his arrival, the sultan gave all his courtiers a very
ample account of the events which, contrary to his expectation, had
detained him so long. He acquainted them with his having adopted the
king of the four Black Islands, who was willing to leave a great
kingdom, to accompany and live with him; and, in short, in reward of
their loyalty, he made each of them presents according to their rank.
As for the fisherman, as he was the first cause of the deliverance
of the young prince, the sultan gave him a plentiful fortune, which
made him and his family happy the rest of their days.
Here Scheherazade made an end of the story of the Fisherman and the
Genie. Dinarzade signified that she had taken a great deal of
pleasure in it; and Schahriar having said the same thing, the
sultaness told them, that she knew another which was much finer, and
if the sultan would give her leave, she would tell it them next
morning, for day began to appear. Schahriar, bethinking himself that
he had granted the sultaness a month’s reprieve, and being curious
moreover to know if this new story would be as agreeable as she
promised, got up, with a desire to hear it next night.