Although the prince had in some measure recovered his senses, he

continued so weak, that he could not open his mouth to speak. He

answered only by signs, even to his nearest relations, when they

spoke to him. He remained in the same condition till next morning,

when the jeweller came to take leave of him. His answer was only

with a wink, and holding forth his right hand; but when he saw he

was laden with the bundle of plate which the thieves had returned to

him, he made a sign to his servants that they should take it and

carry it to his house.

The jeweller had been expected with great impatience by his family

the day he went forth with a man who came to ask for him, and whom

he did not know; but now he was quite given over, and it was no

longer doubted but some disaster had befallen him. His wife,

children, and servants, were in the greatest alarm, and were

lamenting him. When he arrived, their joy was very great; yet they

were troubled to see that he was so much altered in the short

interval, that he was hardly to be known. This was occasioned by the

great fatigue of the preceding day, and the fears he had undergone

all night, which would not let him sleep. Finding himself much

disordered, he continued at home two days, and would admit only one

of his intimate friends to visit him.

The third day, finding himself something better, he thought he might

recover strength by going abroad to take the air; and therefore went

to the shop of a rich merchant his acquaintance, with whom he

continued long in discourse. As he was rising to take leave of his

friend and go home, he observed a woman making a sign to him, whom

he presently knew to be the confidant of Schemselnihar. Between fear

and joy, he made what haste he could away, without looking at her;

but she followed him, as he feared she would, the place they were in

being by no means proper to hold a conversation. As he walked a

little faster than ordinary, she not being able to overtake him,

every now and then she called out to him to stay.

He heard her; but after what had happened, he did not think fit to

speak to her in public, for fear of giving cause to suspect that he

was connected with Schemselnihar. It was known to every body in

Bagdad that this woman belonged to her, and executed all her little

commissions. He continued the same pace, and at length came to a

mosque, where he knew but few people came. He entered it, and she

followed him, and they had a long conversation together, without any

body overhearing them.

Both the jeweller and confidant expressed mutual joy at seeing each

other, after the strange adventure of the robbers, and their

reciprocal apprehension for each other, without regarding their own

particular persons.

The jeweller wished her to relate to him how she escaped with the

two slaves, and what she knew of Schemselnihar from the time he lost

sight of her; but so great was her eagerness to know what had

happened to him from the time of their unexpected separation, that

he found himself obliged to satisfy her. Having given you the detail

you desired, said he, oblige me in your turn, which she did in the

following manner:

When I first saw the robbers, said she, I hastily imagined that they

were soldiers of the caliph’s guard, and that the caliph being

informed of Schemselnihar’s going out, had sent them to take away

her life, the life of the prince, and of us all. Under this

impression I immediately got up to the leads of your house, when the

thieves entered the chamber where the prince and Schemselnihar were,

and I was soon after followed by that lady’s two slaves. From

leads to leads, we came at last to a house of very honest people,

who received us with much civility, and with whom we lodged that

night.

Next morning, after thanking the master of the house for our good

usage, we returned to Schemselnihar’s palace, where we entered in

great disorder and distress, because we could not learn the fate of

the two unfortunate lovers. The other women of Schemselnihar were

astonished to see me return without their lady. We told them we had

left her at the house of one of her female friends, and that she

would send for us when she had a mind to come home; with which

excuse they seemed well satisfied.

For my part, I spent the day in great uneasiness, and when night

came, opening a small private gate, I espied a little boat on the

canal which seemed driven by the stream. I called to the waterman

and desired him to row up each side of the river, and look if he

could see a lady; if he found her, to bring her along with him. The

two slaves and I waited impatiently for his return, and at length

about midnight, we saw the boat coming down with two men in it and a

woman lying along in the stern. When the boat was come up, the two

men helped the woman to rise, and then it was I knew her to be

Schemselnihar. I cannot express my joy at seeing her.

I gave my hand to Schemselnihar to help her out of the boat; she had

great need of my assistance, for she could hardly stand. When she

was landed, she whispered to me in a tone expressive of her

affliction, and bid me go and take a purse of a thousand pieces of

gold and give to the two soldiers that had accompanied her. I

committed her to the two slaves to support her, and having ordered

the two soldiers to wait for me a moment, I took the purse, and

returned instantly: I gave it to the soldiers, and having paid the

waterman, shut the door.

I then followed my lady, and overtook her before she was got up to

her chamber. We immediately undressed her, and put her to bed, where

she had not long been, before she seemed ready to give up the ghost

all the rest of the night. The day following, her other women

expressed a great desire to see her; but I told them she had been

greatly fatigued, and wanted rest to restore her strength. The other

two women and I gave her all the assistance in our power, and that

she could expect from our attention. She persisted in taking nothing

that we offered her: and we should have despaired of her life, if I

had not at last perceived that the wine which we gave her every now

and then had a sensible effect in restoring her strength. By

importunity we overcame her obstinacy, and at length prevailed with

her to eat.

When she came to the use of her speech, for she had hitherto only

wept, groaned, and sighed, I begged of her to tell me how she had

escaped out of the hands of the robbers. Why would you require of

me, said she, with a profound sigh, to renew my grief? Would to God

the robbers had taken away my life, rather than preserved it; my

misfortunes would then have had an end, whereas I live but to

increase my sufferings.

Madam, replied I, I beg you would not refuse me this favour. You

cannot but know that the wretched feel a consolation in relating

their greatest misfortunes; what I ask would alleviate yours, if you

will have the goodness to gratify me.

Hear then, said she, the most afflicting adventure that could

possibly have happened to one so deeply in love as myself, who

considered myself as at the utmost point of my wishes. You must

know, when I first saw the robbers enter, sword in hand, I

considered it as the last moment of our lives; but death was not an

object of regret, since I thought I was to die with the prince of

Persia. However, instead of murdering us, as I expected, two of the

robbers were ordered to take care of us, whilst their companions

were busied in packing up the goods they found in the house. When

they had done, and got their bundles upon their backs, they went

out, and carried us along with them.

As we went along, one of those that had charge of us demanded of me

who I was. I answered, I was a dancer. He put the same question to

the prince, who replied, he was a citizen.

When we were come to the place whither they were going, a new alarm

seized us. They gathered about us, and after having considered my

dress, and the rich jewels I was adorned with, they seemed to doubt

that I disguised my quality. Dancers, said they, do not use to be

dressed as you are. Tell us truly who you are.

When they saw I answered nothing, they asked the prince once more

who he was, for they told him they plainly perceived he was not the

person he pretended to be. He did not satisfy them much more than I

had done: he only told them he came to see the jeweller, naming him

who was the owner of that house where they found them. I know this

jeweller, replied one of the rogues, who seemed to have some

authority over the rest: I have some obligations to him, which he

knows nothing of, and I take upon me to bring him hither to-morrow

morning, from another house he has: but you must not expect,

continued he, to be released till he comes and tells us who you are:

in the mean time, I promise you there shall be no injury offered to

you.

The jeweller was brought next morning, who thinking to oblige us, as

he really did, declared to the robbers the whole truth. They

immediately came and asked my pardon, and I believe did the like to

the prince, who was shut up in another room. They protested to me

they would not have broken open the house where we were, had they

known it was the jeweller’s. They soon after took us, (the prince,

the jeweller, and myself,) carried us to the river side, put us

aboard the boat, and rowed us across the water: but we were no

sooner landed, than a party of horse patrol came up to us.

The robbers fled: I took the commander aside, and told him my name,

and that the night before I had been seized by robbers, who forced

me along with them; but having been told who I was, released me, and

the two persons he saw with me, on my account. He alighted out of

respect to me, and, expressing great joy for being able to oblige

me, he caused two boats to be brought, putting me and two of his

soldiers, whom you have seen, into one, escorted me hither, and the

prince and jeweller, with two others, in another, to conduct them

home in safety. My guides have conducted me hither; but what is

become of the prince and his friend I cannot tell.

I trust, added she, melting into tears, no harm has happened to them

since our separation; and I do not doubt, but the prince’s concern

for me is equal to mine for him. The jeweller, to whom we have been

so much obliged, ought to be recompensed for the loss he has

sustained on our account. Fail not, therefore, to take two purses of

a thousand pieces of gold in each, and carry them to him to-morrow

morning in my name, and be sure to inquire after the prince’s

welfare.

When my good mistress had done speaking, I endeavoured, as to the

last article of inquiring into the prince’s welfare, to persuade

her to endeavour to triumph over her passion, after the danger she

had so lately escaped almost by miracle. --Make no answer to me,

said she, but do what I command you.

I was obliged to be silent, and am come hither to obey her commands.

I have been at your house, and not finding you at home, and

uncertain as I was of finding where you were said to be, was about

going to the prince of Persia; but not daring to attempt the

journey, I have left the two purses with a particular friend of

mine, and if you will wait here, I will go and fetch them

immediately.

The confidant returned quickly to the jeweller in the mosque, where

she had left him, and giving him the two purses, bid him out of them

satisfy his friends. They are much more than is necessary, said the

jeweller, but I dare not refuse the present from so good and

generous a lady to her very humble servant; but I beseech you to

assure her from me, that I shall preserve an eternal remembrance of

her goodness. He then agreed with the confidant, that she should

find him at the house where she had first seen him, whenever she had

occasion to impart any thing from Schemselnihar, or to hear any

tidings of the prince of Persia: and so they parted.

The jeweller returned home very well satisfied, not only that he had

got wherewithal so fully to satisfy his friends, but also to think

that no person in Bagdad could possibly know that the prince and

Schemselnihar had been in his house when it was robbed. It is true,

he had acquainted the thieves with it, but their secresy he thought

he might very well depend on: they, he imagined, had not sufficient

communication with the world to fear any danger from their divulging

it. Next morning he visited the friends who had obliged him, and

found no difficulty in satisfying them. He had money in hand to

furnish his other house, in which he placed servants. Thus he forgot

all his past danger, and the next evening waited on the prince of

Persia.

The prince’s domestics told the jeweller, that he came in very

luckily, for that the prince ever since he saw him was reduced to

such a state that his life was in danger, and they had not been able

to get a word out of him. They introduced him softly into his

chamber, and he found him in a condition that excited his pity. He

was lying upon his bed, with his eyes shut; but when the jeweller

saluted him, and exhorted him to take courage, he recollected him,

and opened his eyes, and gave him a look that sufficiently declared

the greatness of his affliction, infinitely beyond what he felt

after he first saw Schemselnihar. He took and grasped him by the

hand, to testify his friendship, and told him in a feeble voice,

that he was extremely obliged to him, for coming so far to seek one

so unhappy and wretched.

Prince, replied the jeweller, mention not, I beseech you, any

obligations you have to me: I wish the good offices I have

endeavoured to do you had had a better effect: but at present, let

us talk only of your health; which, in the state I see you, I fear

you greatly injure, by unreasonably abstaining from proper

nourishment.

The prince’s servants took this opportunity to tell him, it was

with the greatest difficulty they had prevailed on their master to

take the smallest refreshment, and that for some time he had taken

nothing at all. This obliged the jeweller to entreat the prince to

let his servants bring him something to eat; which he obtained after

much importunity.

After the prince had eaten more than he had hitherto done, through

the persuasion of the jeweller, he commanded the servants to leave

him alone with his friend. When the room was clear, he said, Besides

my misfortune that distracts me, I have been exceedingly concerned

to think what a loss you have suffered on my account; and it is but

just I should make you some recompense; but before I do this, after

begging your pardon a thousand times, I conjure you to tell me

whether you have learnt any thing of Schemselnihar, since I had the

misfortune to be parted from her.

Here the jeweller, instructed by the confidant, related to him all

that he knew of Schemselnihar’s arrival at her palace, her state

of health from that time till she recovered, and how she had sent

her confidant to him to inquire after his welfare.

To all this the prince replied only by sighs and tears; he made an

effort to get up, and calling his servants, went himself to his

wardrobe, and having caused several bundles of rich furniture and

plate to be packed up, he ordered them to be carried to the

jeweller’s house.

The jeweller would fain have declined this kind offer: but although

he represented that Schemselnihar had already made him more than

sufficient amends for what he had lost, the prince would be obeyed.

The jeweller was therefore obliged to make all possible

acknowledgments, and protested how much he was confounded at his

highness’s liberality. He would then have taken his leave, but the

prince desired him to stay, and so they passed a good part of the

night in talking together.

Next morning, the jeweller waited again on the prince, who made him

sit down by him. You know, said he, there is an end proposed in all

things: the end the lover proposes, is, to enjoy the beloved object

in spite of all opposition. If once he loses that hope, he must not

think to live. Such is my hard case; for when I had been twice at

the very point of fulfilling my desires, I was on a sudden torn from

her I loved in the most cruel manner imaginable. It remains for me

only to think of death, and I had sought it, but that our holy

religion forbids suicide; but I need not anticipate it; I need not

wait long. Here he stopped, and vented his passion in groans, signs,

sobs, and tears, which flowed plentifully.

The jeweller, who knew no better way of diverting him from his

despair than by bringing Schemselnihar into his mind, and giving him

some shadow of hope, told him, he feared the confidant might be come

from her lady, and therefore it would not be proper to stay any

longer from home. I will let you go, said the prince, but conjure

you that if you see her, you recommend to her, to assure

Schemselnihar, that if I die, as I expect to do shortly, I shall

love her to the last moment, even in the grave.

The jeweller returned home, and waited in expectation of seeing the

confidant, who came some hours after, but all in tears, and in great

affliction. The jeweller, alarmed, asked her what was the matter.

She answered, that Schemselnihar, the prince, herself and he were

all ruined. Hear the sad news, said she, as it was told me just upon

my entering the palace after I had left you.

Schemselnihar had for some fault chastised one of the slaves you saw

with her when we met in your other house; the slave enraged at the

ill treatment, ran presently away, and finding the gate open, went

forth; so that we have just reason to believe, she has discovered

all to an eunuch of the guard who has given her protection.

But this is not all; the other slave, her companion, is fled too,

and has taken refuge in the caliph’s palace; so that we may well

fear she has borne her part in this discovery: for just as I came

away, the caliph had sent twenty of his eunuchs for Schemselnihar,

and they carried her to the palace. I just found means to come and

tell you this. I know not what has passed, yet I fear no good; but,

above all, I recommend it to you as a secret.

The confidant added to what she had said before to the jeweller,

that it was proper he should go immediately and acquaint the prince

with the whole affair, that he might be prepared for every event,

and keep faithful to the common cause. She went away in haste,

without staying for any answer.

What answer could the jeweller have made in the condition he was in?

He stood motionless as if thunderstruck. He found, however, that

there was no time to be lost, and immediately went to give the

prince an account. He addressed himself to him with an air that

sufficiently showed the bad news he brought him. Prince, said he,

arm yourself with courage and patience, and prepare to receive the

most terrible shock that ever you had to encounter.

Tell me in a few words, said the prince, what is the matter, without

keeping me in suspense: I am prepared to die if necessary. Then the

jeweller told him all that he had learnt from the confidant. You

see, continued he, your destruction is inevitable. Up, rise, save

yourself by flight, for the time is precious. You, of all men, must

not expose yourself to the anger of the caliph, and should much less

confess any thing in the midst of torments.

At these words, the prince was almost ready to expire through grief,

affliction, and fear; however, he recovered himself, and asked the

jeweller, what resolution he would advise him to take in this

conjuncture, every moment of which was to be made use of. The

jeweller told him, he thought nothing remained but that he should

immediately take horse, and haste away towards Anbar, [82] that he

might get thither before day. Take what servants and swift horses

you think necessary, continued he, and suffer me to escape with you.

The prince, seeing nothing more to be done, immediately gave orders

to prepare such an equipage as would be least troublesome, took

money and jewels, and having taken leave of his mother, he departed

with the jeweller, and such servants as he had chosen.

They travelled all that day and the night following without

stopping; till at length, about two or three hours before daybreak,

both their horses and themselves being spent with so long a journey,

they stopt to rest themselves.

They had hardly sat down before they found themselves surrounded and

assaulted by a great band of robbers. They defended their lives for

some time courageously; but, at length, the prince’s servants

being all killed, both he and the jeweller were obliged to yield at

discretion. The robbers, however, spared their lives; but after they

had seized on the horses and baggage, they took away their clothes,

and left them naked on the spot.

When the thieves were gone from them, the prince said to the

jeweller, What think you of our adventure and condition? Had I not

better have tarried in Bagdad, and awaited my death? Prince, replied

the jeweller, it is the decree of heaven that we should thus suffer.

It has pleased God to add affliction to affliction, and we must not

murmur at it, but receive his chastisements with submission. Let us

stay no longer here, but seek for some retreat where we may perhaps

be relieved.

Let me die, said the prince; for what signifies it whether I die

here or elsewhere? perhaps, while we are talking, Schemselnihar is

no more; and why should I endeavour to live after she is dead? The

jeweller by his entreaty at length prevailed on him, and they had

not gone far before they came to a mosque, which was open; they

entered it, and passed there the remainder of the night.

At daybreak a man came into the mosque. When he had ended his

prayer, as he turned about to go away, he perceived the prince and

jeweller, who were sitting in a corner. He came up to them, and

after having saluted them with a great deal of civility, said, I

perceive you are strangers.

The jeweller answered, You are not deceived; we have been robbed

to-night in coming from Bagdad, as you may see, and are retired

hither for shelter, but we know not whom to apply to. If you think

fit to come along with me to my house, answered the man, I will give

you all the assistance in my power.

Upon this obliging offer, the jeweller turned to the prince, and

whispered him, This man, as you perceive, sir, does not know us; and

we have reason to fear, that somebody else may come who may know us.

We cannot, I think, refuse his offer. Do as you please, said the

prince; I am willing to be guided by your discretion.

The man observing the prince and jeweller consulting together, and

thinking they made some difficulty to accept his offer, asked them

if they were resolved what to do. The jeweller answered, We are

ready to follow you; all that we make a difficulty about is, that we

are ashamed to appear thus naked.

Fortunately the man had it in his power to cover them sufficiently

till they could get to his house; and they were no sooner got to the

house, but he brought forth a very handsome suit for each of them.

As he thought they must be hungry, and wish to be alone, he had

several dishes brought to them by a slave; but they ate little,

especially the prince, who was so dejected and dispirited, that he

gave the jeweller cause to fear he would die. Their host visited

them several times in the day, and in the evening, as he knew they

wanted rest, he left them early; but he was no sooner in bed, than

the jeweller was forced to call him again to assist at the death of

the prince of Persia. He found him breathe short, and with

difficulty, which gave him just reason to fear he had but few

minutes to live. Coming near him, the prince said, It is all over,

and I am glad you are witness of my last words. I quit life with a

great deal of satisfaction; I need not tell you the reason, for you

know it already. All my concern is, that I cannot die in the arms of

my dear mother, who has always loved me tenderly, and for whom I had

a reciprocal affection. She will undoubtedly not be a little grieved

that she could not close my eyes, and bury me with her own hands.

Let her know how much I was concerned at this, and pray her in my

name to have my body transported to Bagdad, that she may have an

opportunity to bedew my tomb with her tears, and assist my departed

soul with her prayers. He then took notice of the master of the

house, and thanked him for his kindness in taking him in; and after

desiring him to let his body rest with him till it should be

conveyed to Bagdad, he expired.

The day after the prince’s death, the jeweller took the

opportunity of a numerous caravan that was going to Bagdad, and

arrived there soon after in safety. He first went home to change his

clothes, and then hastened to the prince’s palace, where every

body was alarmed at not seeing the prince with him. He desired them

to acquaint the prince’s mother, that he wished to speak with her,

and it was not long before he was introduced to her in a hall, with

several of her women about her. Madam, said he to her, with an air

that sufficiently denoted the ill news he brought, God preserve you,

and shower down the choicest of his blessings upon you. You cannot

be ignorant that he alone disposes of us at his pleasure.

The princess would not give him leave to go on, but cried out, Alas!

you bring me the news of my son’s death. She and her women, at the

same time, set up such a hideous cry as brought fresh tears into the

jeweller’s eyes. She tormented and grieved herself a long while,

before she would suffer him to resume his story. At length, she

checked her sighs and groans, and begged of him to continue, without

concealing from her the least circumstance of such a melancholy

separation. He satisfied her, and when he had done, she farther

demanded of him, if her son, the prince, had not given him in charge

something more particular in his last moments. He assured her his

last words were, that it was the greatest concern to him, that he

must die so far distant from his dear mother; and that the only

thing he wished was, that she would be pleased to have his corpse

transported to Bagdad. Accordingly, early next morning the princess

set out with her women, and great part of her slaves, to bring her

son’s body to her own palace.

When the jeweller, whom she kept with her, saw she was gone, he

returned home very sad and melancholy, at the reflection that so

accomplished and amiable a prince was thus cut off in the flower of

his age.

As he walked towards his house, dejected and musing, he saw a woman

in mourning, drowned in tears, standing before him: on lifting up

his eyes, he presently knew her to be Schemselnihar’s confidant.

At the sight of her his tears began to flow afresh, but he said

nothing to her; and going into his own house, she followed him.

They sat down; when the jeweller beginning the conversation, asked

the confidant, with a deep sigh, if she had heard of the death of

the prince of Persia, and if it was on his account that she grieved.

Alas! answered she, what, is that charming prince then dead? He has

not lived long after his dear Schemselnihar. Beauteous souls!

continued she, in whatsoever place ye now are, ye must be happy that

your loves will no more be interrupted. Your bodies were an obstacle

to your wishes, but heaven has delivered you from them; ye may now

form the closest union.

The jeweller, who had heard nothing of Schemselnihar’s death, and

had not observed the confidant was in mourning, suffered fresh grief

at hearing this news. Is Schemselnihar then dead? cried he. She is

dead, replied the confidant, weeping afresh; and it is for her I

wear these weeds. The circumstances of her death were extraordinary,

continued she, and deserve to be known to you; but before I give you

an account of them, I beg you to let me know those of the prince of

Persia, whom, with my dearest friend and mistress, I shall lament as

long as I live.

The jeweller then gave the confidant that satisfaction she desired;

and after he had told her all, even to the departure of the

prince’s mother, to bring her son’s body to Bagdad, she began

and said, You have not forgot that I told you the caliph had sent

for Schemselnihar to his palace; and it is true, as we had all the

reason in the world to believe, he had been informed of the amour

betwixt her and the prince, by the two slaves, whom he had examined

apart. You will imagine, he would be exceedingly enraged at

Schemselnihar, and express great tokens of jealousy and revenge

against the prince: but this was by no means the case. He pitied

Schemselnihar, and in some measure blamed himself for what had

happened, in giving her so much freedom to walk about the city

without being attended by his eunuchs. This is the only conclusion

that could be drawn from his extraordinary behaviour towards her, as

you will hear.

He received her with an open countenance; and when he observed that

the melancholy which oppressed her did not lessen her beauty, (for

she appeared thus before him without surprise or fear,) with a

goodness worthy himself, he said, Schemselnihar, I cannot bear your

appearing before me thus, with an air which gives me infinite pain.

You must needs be sensible how much I have always loved you, and be

convinced of the sincerity of my passion by the continued

demonstrations I have given you of it. I can never change my mind,

for I love you more than ever. You have enemies, Schemselnihar,

proceeded he, and those enemies have insinuated things against your

conduct; but all they have said against you has not made the least

impression upon me. Shake off then this melancholy, and prepare to

entertain me with some diverting and amusing conversation this

night, after your accustomed manner. He said many other obliging

things to hen and then desired her to step into a magnificent

apartment near her own, and wait for him.

The afflicted Schemselnihar was very sensible of the kindness the

caliph had for her; but the more she thought herself obliged to him,

the more she was concerned that she was so far removed, perhaps for

ever, from her prince, without whom she could not live.

This interview between the caliph and Schemselnihar, continued the

confidant, was whilst I was come to speak with you, and I learned

the particulars of it from my companions who were present. But I had

no sooner left you, proceeded she, than I went to my dear mistress

again, and was eye-witness to what happened in the evening. I found

her in the apartment I told you of; and as she thought I came from

you, she came up to me, and, whispering me in the ear, said, I am

much obliged to you for the service you have done me, but feel it

will be the last. She said no more; but I was not in a place proper

to offer any thing to comfort her.

The caliph was introduced at night with the sound of instruments,

which her women played upon, and the collation was immediately

served up. He took his mistress by the hand, and made her sit down

with him on the sofa. She put such a force upon herself to please

him, that she expired a few minutes after. In short, she was hardly

set down, but she fell backwards: the caliph believed she had only

fainted, and so we all thought; but she never recovered, and in this

manner we lost her.

The caliph did her the honour to weep over her, not being able to

refrain from tears; and before he left the room, ordered all the

musical instruments to be broken, which was immediately executed. I

stayed with her corpse all night, and next morning washed and

dressed her for her funeral, bathing her with my tears. The caliph

had her interred next morning in a magnificent tomb he had erected

for her in her lifetime, in a place she had desired to be buried in.

Now, since you tell me, said she, the prince of Persia’s body is

to be brought to Bagdad, I will use my best endeavours that he shall

be interred in the same tomb.

The jeweller was much surprised at this resolution of the confidant,

and said, Certainly you do not consider that the caliph will never

suffer this. You think the thing impossible, replied she; it is not:

you will alter your opinion when I tell you that the caliph has

given liberty to all her slaves, with a pension to each for their

maintenance, and has committed to me the care and keeping of my

mistress’s tomb, and allotted me an annual income for that

purpose, and for my maintenance. Besides, the caliph, who was not

ignorant of the amour between Schemselnihar and the prince, as I

have already told you, without being offended at it, will not be

sorry if after her death he be buried with her. To all this the

jeweller had not a word to say, yet earnestly entreated the

confidant to conduct him to her mistress’s tomb, that he might say

his prayers over her. When he came in sight of it, he was not a

little surprised to find a vast concourse of people of both sexes,

that were come thither from all parts of Bagdad. As he could not

come near the tomb, he said his prayers at a distance; and then

going to the confidant, who was waiting hard by, he said to her, Now

I am so far from thinking that what you properly proposed cannot be

put in execution, that you and I need only publish abroad what we

know of the amour of this unfortunate couple, and how the prince

died much about the same time with his mistress. Before his corpse

arrives, all Bagdad will concur to desire that two such faithful

lovers should not be separated when dead, whom nothing could divide

in affection whilst they lived. As he said, so it came to pass; for

as soon as it came to be known that the corpse was within a day’s

journey of the city, an infinite number of people went out to meet

it above twenty miles off, and afterwards walked before it till it

came to the city gate; where the confidant, waiting for that

purpose, presented herself before the prince’s mother, and begged

of her, in the name of the whole city, who earnestly desired it,

that she would be pleased to consent that the bodies of the two

lovers, who had but one heart whilst they lived, from the time their

mutual passion commenced, might be buried in the same tomb now they

were dead. The princess immediately consented; and the corpse of the

prince, instead of being deposited in his own burying-place, was

laid by Schemselnihar’s side, after it had been carried along in

procession at the head of an infinite number of people of all ranks.

From that time all the inhabitants of Bagdad, and even strangers

from all parts of the world where the Mahometan religion prevails,

cease not to hold in the highest veneration that tomb, and pay their

devotion at it.

The Story of the Amours of Carmaralzaman, Prince of the Isles of the

Children of Khaledan, and of Badoura, Princess of China.

About twenty days’ sail on the coast of Persia, there are islands

in the main ocean called the Islands of the Children of Khaledan.

These islands are divided into four great provinces, which have all

of them very flourishing and populous cities, forming together a

powerful kingdom. It was formerly governed by a king named

Schahzaman, [83] who had four lawful wives, all daughters of kings,

and sixty concubines.

Schahzaman thought himself the most happy monarch of the world, on

account of his peaceful and prosperous reign. One thing only

disturbed his happiness; which was, that he was advanced in years,

and had no children, though he had so many wives. He knew not to

what to attribute this barrenness; and what increased his affliction

was, that he was likely to leave his kingdom without a successor. He

dissembled his discontent a long while; and this dissimulation only

heightened his uneasiness. At length he broke silence; and one day,

after he had complained bitterly of his misfortunes to his grand

vizier, he asked him if he knew any remedy for it.

That wise minister replied, If what your majesty requires of me had

depended on the ordinary rules of human wisdom, you had soon had an

answer to your satisfaction; but my experience and knowledge fall

far short of your question. The Divine Power alone, who, in the

midst of our prosperities, which often tempt us to forget him, is

pleased to mortify us in some instance, that we may address our

thoughts to him, acknowledge his omnipotence, and ask of him what we

can expect from him alone. Your majesty has subjects, proceeded he,

who make a profession of honouring and serving God, and suffering

great hardships for his sake; to them I would advise you to have

recourse, and engage them, by alms, to join their prayers with

yours: it may be, some one among them may be so pure and pleasing to

God as to obtain a hearing from your prayers.

King Schahzaman approved this advice, and thanked his vizier for it.

He immediately caused rich alms to be given to every community of

these holy men in his dominions; and having sent for the superiors,

and treated them with a frugal feast, declared to them his

intention, and desired them to acquaint their devout men with it.

The king obtained of heaven what he requested; for in nine months’

time he had a son by one of his wives. To express his gratitude to

heaven, he sent new alms to the communities of devout Mussulmen, and

the prince’s birth-day was celebrated not only in his capital, but

throughout his dominions for a whole week. The prince was brought to

him as soon as born, and he found him so beautiful, that he gave him

the name of Camaralzaman, or Moon of the Age.

He was brought up with all imaginable care; and when he came to a

proper age, his father appointed him an experienced governor, and

able preceptors. These persons, distinguished by their capacity,

found in him a ready wit, capable of receiving all the instructions

that were proper to be given him, as well in relation to morals as

other knowledge which a prince ought to possess. As he grew up, he

learned all his exercises, and acquitted himself with such grace and

wonderful address, as charmed all that saw him, and particularly the

sultan his father.

Having attained the age of fifteen years, the sultan, who loved him

so tenderly, and gave him every day new marks of his affection, had

thoughts of giving him a still greater, by resigning his throne to

him, and acquainted his grand vizier with his intentions. I fear,

said he, lest my son should lose in the inactivity of youth those

advantages which nature and my education have given him: therefore,

since I am advanced in age, and ought to think of retirement, I have

thoughts of resigning the government to him, and passing the

remainder of my days in the satisfaction of seeing him reign. I have

undergone the fatigue of a crown a long while, and think it now

proper for me to retire.

The grand vizier declined offering all the reasons he could have

alleged to dissuade the sultan from such a proceeding; on the

contrary, he agreed with him in opinion. Sir, replied he, the prince

is yet but young, and it would not be, in my humble opinion,

advisable to burthen him with the weight of a crown so soon. Your

majesty fears, with great reason, his youth may be corrupted in

indolence; but to remedy that, do not you think it would be proper

to marry him? Marriage forms attachment, and prevents dissipation.

Your majesty might then admit him of your council, where he would

learn by degrees the art of reigning, and so be qualified to receive

your authority, whenever, by your own experience, you shall think

him qualified.

Schahzaman found this advice of his prime minister’s highly

reasonable, therefore summoned the prince to appear before him at

the same time that he dismissed the grand vizier.

The prince, who had been accustomed to see his father only at

certain times, without being sent for, was a little startled at this

summons; when, therefore, he came before him, he saluted him with

great respect, and stood with his eyes fixed on the ground.

The sultan perceiving his constraint, said to him in a mild way, Do

you know, son, for what reason I have sent for you? The prince

modestly replied, God alone knows the heart; I shall hear it from

your majesty with pleasure. I sent for you, said the sultan, to

inform you I have an intention of providing a proper marriage for

you; what do you think of it?

Prince Camaralzaman heard this with great uneasiness; it so

surprised him, that he paused and knew not what answer to make.

After a few moments’ silence, he replied, Sir, I beseech you to

pardon me, if I seem surprised at the declaration you have made to

me. I did not expect such proposals to one so young as I am; and I

know not whether I could ever prevail on myself to marry, on account

of the trouble incident to a married life, and the many treacheries

of women, which I have read of. I may not be always of the same

mind; yet I perceive it requires time to determine on what your

majesty requires of me.

Prince Camaralzaman’s answer extremely afflicted his father. He

was not a little grieved to see what an aversion he had to marriage;

yet would not charge him with disobedience, nor exert his paternal

authority. He contented himself with telling him he would not force

his inclinations, but give him time to consider of the proposal, and

reflect, that a prince like him, destined to govern a great kingdom,

ought to take some care to leave a successor; and that, in giving

himself that satisfaction, he communicated it to his father, who

would be glad to see himself revive in his son and his issue.

Schahzaman said no more to the prince: he admitted him into his

council, and gave him every reason to be satisfied. At the end of

the year, he took him aside, and said to him, My son, have you

thoroughly considered of what I proposed to you about marrying last

year? Will you still refuse me that pleasure I expect from your

obedience, and suffer me to die without giving me that satisfaction?

The prince seemed less disconcerted than before, and was not long

answering his father to this effect: Sir, I have not neglected to

consider of your proposal; but after the maturest reflection, find

myself more confirmed in my resolution to continue as I am without

engaging in marriage. In short, the infinite mischief I have read in

histories caused in the world by women, and the continual mischiefs

I still hear done by them, are powerful motives for me to have

nothing to do with them: so that I hope your majesty will pardon me

if I presume to tell you it will be in vain to solicit me any

farther about marriage. He stopt here, and went out, without staying

to hear what the sultan would answer.

Any monarch but Schahzaman would have been very angry at such

freedom in a son, and would have made him repent it; but he loved

him, and preferred gentle methods before he proceeded to compulsion.

He communicated this new cause of discontent to his prime minister.

I have followed your advice, said he, but Camaralzaman is farther

than ever from complying with my desires. He delivered his

resolution in such free terms, that it required all my reason and

moderation to keep my temper. Fathers, who so earnestly desire

children as I did this son, are fools who seek to deprive themselves

of that rest which it is in their own power to enjoy without

control. Tell me, I beseech you, how I shall reclaim a disposition

so rebellious to my will.

Sir, answered the grand vizier, patience brings many things about

that before seemed impracticable; but it may be this affair is of a

nature not likely to succeed that way. Your majesty will have no

cause to reproach yourself for precipitation, if you would give the

prince another year to consider of the matter. If in this interval,

he return to his duty, you will have the greater satisfaction, as

you will have employed only paternal love to induce him; and if he

still continue averse to your proposal when this is expired, your

majesty may propose it to him in full council, that it is highly

necessary for the good of the state that he should marry; and it is

not likely he will refuse to comply with you before so grave an

assembly, which you honour with your presence.

The sultan, who so passionately desired to see his son married,

thought this long delay an age; however, though with much

difficulty, he yielded to his grand vizier’s reasons, which he

could not disapprove.

After the grand vizier was gone, sultan Schahzaman went to the

apartment of the mother of prince Camaralzaman, to whom he had often

expressed his desire to see the prince married. When he had told

her, with grief, how his son had refused to comply with his wishes a

second time, and the indulgence, which by the advice of his grand

vizier, he was inclined to show him, he said, Madam, I know he has

more confidence in, and will hearken more to you than me; therefore,

I desire you would take an opportunity to talk to him seriously

about it, and convince him, that if he persists in his obstinacy, he

will oblige me to have recourse to extremities, which I should be

sorry for, and which may give him cause to repent having disobeyed

me.

Fatima, for so was the lady called, acquainted the prince the first

time she saw him, that she had been informed of his second refusal

to marry, and how much chagrin he had occasioned his father on that

account. Madam, said the prince, I beseech you not to renew my grief

upon that head. I fear, in my present uneasiness, something may

escape me, which may not altogether correspond with the respect I

owe you. Fatima knew by this answer that this was not a proper time

to speak to him, and therefore deferred what she had to say to

another opportunity.

Some considerable time after, Fatima thought she had found a more

favourable opportunity, which gave her hopes of being heard upon

that subject. Son, said she, I beg of you, if it be not

disagreeable, to tell me what reason you have for your so great

aversion to marriage? If it be only the wickedness of some women,

nothing can be more unreasonable and weak. I will not undertake the

defence of those that are bad; there are a great number of them

undoubtedly; but it would be the height of injustice to condemn all

the sex for their sakes. --Alas! my son, you have in your books met

with many bad women, who have occasioned great mischief, and I will

not excuse them; but you do not consider how many monarchs, sultans,

and other princes, there have been in the world, whose tyrannies,

barbarities, and cruelties astonished those that read of them, as

well as myself. Now, for one wicked woman, you will meet with a

thousand tyrants and barbarians; and what torment do you think a

good woman must undergo, who is matched with any of these wretches?

Madam, replied Camaralzaman, I doubt not there are a great number of

wise, virtuous, good, affable, and well-behaved women in the world:

would to God they all resembled you! But what deters me is the

doubtful choice a man is obliged to make; and oftentimes one has not

the liberty of following his inclination.

Let us suppose then, madam, continued he, that I had a mind to

marry, as the sultan my father so earnestly desires, what wife,

think you, would he be likely to provide for me? Probably a princess

whom he would demand of some neighbouring prince, and who would

think it an honour done him to send him her. Handsome or ugly, she

must be taken; nay, suppose no other princess excelled her in

beauty, who can be certain that her temper would be good; that she

would be affable, complaisant, easy, obliging, and the like? That

her conversation would generally turn on solid subjects, and not on

dress, fashions, ornaments, and a thousand such fooleries, which

would disgust any man of sense? In a word, that she would not be

haughty, proud, arrogant, impertinent, scornful, and waste an estate

in frivolous expenses, such as gay clothes, jewels, toys, and

foolish, mistaken magnificence?

You see, madam, continued he, by one single article, how many

reasons a man may have to be disgusted at marriage. Let this

princess be never so perfect, accomplished, and irreproachable in

her conduct, I have yet a great many more reasons not to alter my

opinion and resolution.

What, son, replied Fatima, have you then more reasons after those

you have already alleged? I do not doubt of being able to answer

them, and stop your mouth with a word. You may proceed, madam,

replied the prince, and perhaps I may find a reply to your answer.

I mean, son, said Fatima, that it is easy for a prince who has had

the misfortune to marry such a wife as you describe, to get rid of

her, and take care that she may not ruin the state. Ah, madam,

replied the prince, but you do not consider what a mortification it

would be to a person of so great quality, to be obliged to come to

such an extremity. Would it not have been more for his honour and

quiet, that he had never run such a risk?

But, son, said Fatima once more, as you take the case, I apprehend

you have a mind to be the last king of your race, who have reigned

so long and gloriously over the isles of the children of Khaledan.

Madam, replied the prince, for myself I do not desire to survive the

king, my father; and if I should die before him, it would be no

great matter of wonder, since so many children have died before

their parents. But it is always glorious to a race of kings, that it

should end with a prince worthy to be so, as I should endeavour to

make myself like my predecessors, and like the first of our race.

From that time Fatima had frequent conferences with her son the

prince on the same subject; and she omitted no opportunity or

argument to endeavour to root out his aversion to the fair sex; but

he eluded all her reasonings by such arguments as she could not well

answer, and continued in the same mind.

The year expired, and, to the great regret of the sultan, prince

Camaralzaman gave not the least sign of having changed his

sentiments. One day, therefore, when there was a great council held,

the prime vizier, the other viziers, the principal officers of the

crown, and the generals of the army being present, the sultan began

to speak thus to the prince: My son, it is now a long while since I

have expressed to you my earnest desire to see you married; and I

imagined you would have had more complaisance for a father, who

required nothing unreasonable of you, than to oppose him so long.

But after so long resistance on your part, which has almost worn out

my patience, I have thought fit to propose the same thing once more

to you in the presence of my council. I would have you consider that

you ought not to have refused this, if merely to oblige a parent;

the well-being of my dominions requires it; and the assembly here

present join with me to require it of you. Declare yourself, then;

that according to your answer, I may take the proper measures.

The prince answered with so little reserve, or rather with so much

warmth, that the sultan, enraged to see himself thwarted by him in

full council, cried out, How, unnatural son! have you the insolence

to talk thus to your father and sultan? He ordered the guards to

take him away, and carry him to an old tower that had been

unoccupied for a long while, where he was shut up, with only a bed,

a little furniture, some books, and one slave to attend him.

Camaralzaman, thus deprived of liberty, was nevertheless pleased he

had the freedom to converse with his books, and that made him look

on his confinement with indifference. In the evening he bathed and

said his prayers; and after having read some chapters in the Koran,

with the same tranquillity of mind as if he had been in the

sultan’s palace, he undressed himself and went to bed, leaving his

lamp burning by him all the while he slept.

In this tower was a well, which served in the daytime for a retreat

to a certain fairy, named Maimoune, daughter of Damriat, king or

head of a legion of genies. It was about midnight when Maimoune

sprang lightly to the mouth of the well, to wander about the world

after her wonted custom, where her curiosity led her. She was

surprised to see a light in prince Camaralzaman’s chamber. She

entered, and without stopping at the slave who lay at the door,

approached the bed, whose magnificence attracted her; but she was

still more surprised at seeing any body in it.

Prince Camaralzaman had but half-covered his face with the

bed-clothes, which Maimoune lifted up, and perceived the finest

young man she had seen in all her rambles through the world. What

beauty, or rather what prodigy of beauty, said she within herself,

must this youth appear, when the eyes, concealed by so well-formed

eyelids, shall be open! What crime can he have committed, that a man

of his high rank can deserve to be treated thus rigorously? for she

had already heard his story, and could hardly believe it.

She could not forbear admiring the prince, till, at length, having

kissed him gently on both cheeks, and in the middle of the forehead,

without waking him, she laid the bed-clothes in the order they were

in before, and took her flight into the air. As she mounted high to

the middle region, she heard a great flapping of wings, which made

her fly that way; and when she approached, she knew it was a genie

who made the noise, but it was one of those that are rebellious

against God. As for Maimoune, she belonged to that class whom the

great Solomon compelled to acknowledge him.

This genie, whose name was Danhasch, and son of Schamhourasch, knew

Maimoune, and was seized with fear, being sensible how much power

she had over him by her submission to the Almighty. He would fain

have avoided her, but she was so near him, he must either fight or

yield. He therefore broke silence first.

Brave Maimoune, said he, in the tone of a suppliant, swear to me in

the name of the great God that you will not hurt me, and I swear

also on my part not to do you any harm.

Cursed genie, replied Maimoune, what hurt canst thou do me? I fear

thee not; but I will grant thee this favour --I will swear not to do

thee any harm. Tell me then, wandering spirit, whence thou comest,

what thou hast seen, and what thou hast done this night. Fair lady,

answered Danhasch, you meet me in a good time to hear something very

wonderful.

The History of the Princess of China.

Danhasch, the genie rebellious against God, proceeded, and said to

Maimoune, Since you desire it, I will tell you. I come from the

utmost limits of China, which look on the last islands of this

hemisphere. --But, charming Maimoune, said Danhasch, who trembled

with fear at the sight of this fairy, so that he could hardly speak,

promise me at least you will forgive me, and let me go on after I

have satisfied your demands.

Go on, go on, cursed spirit, replied Maimoune; go on, and fear

nothing. Dost thou think I am as perfidious an elf as thyself, and

capable of breaking the solemn oath I have made? Be sure you tell

nothing but what is true, or I shall clip thy wings, and treat thee

as thou deservest.

Danhasch, a little heartened at the words of Maimoune, said, My dear

lady, I will tell you nothing but what is strictly true, if you will

but have the goodness to hear me. The country of China, from whence

I come, is one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of the

earth, on which depend the utmost islands of this hemisphere, as I

have already told you. The king of this country is at present

Gaiour, who has an only daughter, the finest woman that ever was

seen in the world, since it was a world. Neither you nor I, nor your

class nor mine, nor all our respective genies, have expressions

strong enough, nor eloquence sufficient, to draw any resemblance of

this brilliant lady. Her hair is brown, and of so great a length,

that it reaches far below her feet, and so thick, that it may be

fitly compared to one of those fine clusters of grapes, whose fruit

is so very large, when she has fastened it in buckles on her head.

Her forehead is as smooth as the best polished mirror, and admirably

formed; her eyes, level with her head, are black, sparkling, and

full of fire; her nose is neither too long nor too short, and her

mouth small, and of a vermilion colour; her teeth are like two rows

of pearls, and surpass the finest in whiteness. When she moves her

tongue to speak, she utters a sweet and most agreeable voice, and

expresses herself in such terms, as sufficiently indicate the

vivacity of her wit. The whitest alabaster is not fairer than her

neck. In a word, by this imperfect sketch, you may guess there is no

beauty likely to exceed her in the world.

Any one that did not know the king, father of this incomparable

princess, would be apt to imagine, from the great respect and

kindness he shows her, that he was enamoured with her. Never did a

lover more for the most beloved mistress than he has been seen to do

for her. The most violent jealousy never suggested such measures as

his care to keep her from every one but the man who is to marry her,

has put him upon inventing and executing; and that the retreat which

he has resolved to place her in may not seem irksome to her, he has

built for her seven palaces, the most extraordinary and magnificent

that ever were known.

The first palace is of rock crystal; the second of brass; the third

of fine steel; the fourth of another sort of brass more valuable

than the foregoing, or than steel; the fifth of touchstone; the

sixth of silver; and the seventh of massy gold. He has furnished

these palaces most sumptuously, each in a manner proportionable to

the materials that it is built of. He has filled the gardens with

parterres of grass and flowers, intermixed with pieces of water,

waterworks, jets d’eau, canals, cascades, and several great groves

of trees, where the eye is lost in prospect, and where the sun never

enters, all of which are differently arranged. King Gaiour, in a

word, has shown, that his paternal love has led him to spare no

expense.

Upon the fame of this incomparable princess’s beauty, the most

powerful neighbouring kings sent ambassadors to request her in

marriage. The king of China received them all in the same obliging

manner; but as he resolved not to marry his daughter without her

consent, and she did not like any of the parties, the ambassadors

were forced to return as they came, as to the subject of their

embassy; but they were perfectly satisfied with the great honours

and civilities they had received.

Sir, said the princess to the king, her father, you have an

inclination to see me married, and think to oblige me by it; but

where shall I find such stately palaces and delicious gardens as I

have with your majesty? Through your good pleasure, I am under no

constraint, and have the same honours shown to me, as are paid to

yourself. These are advantages I cannot expect to find any where

else, to whatsoever husband I should give my hand; men love ever to

be masters, and I do not care to be commanded.

After divers more embassies on the same occasion, there came one

from the most rich and potent king of all that had hitherto sent.

This prince the king of China recommended to his daughter as a

husband, urging many powerful arguments to show how much it would be

to her advantage to accept him; but she entreated her father to

dispense with her accepting him, for the same reason as before. He

pressed her; but instead of complying, she lost all the respect due

to the king, her father: Sir, said she, in anger, talk to me no more

of this, or any other match, unless you would have me plunge this

poniard in my bosom, to deliver myself from your importunities.

The king, greatly enraged, said, Daughter, you are mad, and I must

treat you as such. In a word, he had her shut up in a single

apartment of one of his palaces, and allowed her only ten old women

to wait upon her, and keep her company, the chief whereof had been

her nurse; and that the kings, his neighbours, who had sent

embassies to him on this account, might not think any more of her,

he despatched envoys to them severally, to let them know how averse

his daughter was to marriage; and as he did not doubt but she was

really mad, he charged them to make known in every court, that if

there was any physician that would undertake to come and cure her,

he should, if he succeeded, have her for his pains.

Fair Maimoune, continued Danhasch, all that I have told you is true:

and I have not failed to go every day regularly to contemplate this

incomparable beauty, to whom I would be very sorry to do the least

harm, notwithstanding my natural inclination to mischief. Come and

see her, I conjure you: it would be well worth your while, when you

find by your own view I am no liar. I am ready to wait on you as a

guide, and you have only to command me. I doubt not but you would

think yourself obliged to me for the sight of a princess unequalled

for beauty.

Instead of answering Danhasch, Maimoune burst out into violent

laughter, which lasted for some time; and Danhasch, not knowing what

might be the occasion of it, was astonished beyond measure. When she

had laughed her fill, she cried, Good, good, very good! you would

have me then believe all you have told me! I thought you designed to

tell me something surprising and extraordinary, and you have been

talking all this while of a mad woman. Fie, fie! --what would you

say, cursed genie, if you had seen the beautiful prince that I am

just come from seeing, and whom I love as he deserves? I am

confident you would soon give up the contest, and not pretend to

compare your choice with mine.

Agreeable Maimoune, replied Danhasch, may I presume to ask you who

is this prince you speak of? Know, answered Maimoune, the same thing

has happened to him as to your princess. The king, his father, would

have married him against his will; but after much importunity, he

frankly told him, he would have nothing to do with a wife. For this

reason, he is at this moment imprisoned in an old tower, where I

make my residence, and whence I came but just now from admiring him.

I will not absolutely contradict you, replied Danhasch; but my

pretty lady, you must give me leave to be of opinion, till I have

seen your prince, that no mortal upon earth can come up to the

beauty of my princess. Hold thy tongue, cursed sprite, replied

Maimoune. I tell thee once more that can never be. I will not

contend with you, said Danhasch: but the way to be convinced whether

what I say is true or false, is to accept of the proposal I made you

to go and see my princess, and after that I will go with you to your

prince.

There is no need I should take so much pains, replied Maimoune;

there is another way to satisfy us both, and that is, for you to

bring your princess, and place her at my prince’s bed-side; by

this means, it will be easy for us to compare them together and

determine the dispute.

Danhasch consented to what Maimoune had proposed, and determined to

set out immediately for China, upon that errand. But Maimoune drew

him aside, and told him she must first show him the tower whither he

was to bring the princess. They flew together to the tower; and when

Maimoune had shown it to Danhasch, she cried, Go, fetch your

princess, and do it quickly, for you shall find me here; but hear

me; I mean you should at least pay the wager, if my prince is more

beautiful than your princess, and I will pay it if your princess is

more beautiful than my prince.

Danhasch left Maimoune, and flew towards China, whence he soon

returned with incredible speed, bringing the fair princess along

with him asleep. Maimoune received him, and introduced him into the

chamber of prince Camaralzaman, where they placed the princess by

the prince’s side.

When the prince and princess were thus laid together, there arose a

great contest between the genie and the fairy about the preference

of their beauty. They were some time admiring and comparing them

without speaking. At length Danhasch broke silence, and said to

Maimoune, You see, and I have already told you, my princess was

handsomer than your prince; now, I hope, you are convinced of it.

How! convinced of it! replied Maimoune; I am not convinced of it,

and you must be blind, if you cannot see that my prince has the

better in the comparison. The princess is fair, I do not deny; but

if you compare them together without prejudice, you will quickly see

the difference.

Though I should compare them never so often, said Danhasch, I could

never change my opinion. I saw at first sight what I see now, and

time will not make me see differently: however, this shall not

hinder my yielding to you, charming Maimoune, if you desire it. I

would not have you yield to me as a favour! I scorn it, said

Maimoune: I would not receive a favour at the hand of such a wicked

genie. I refer the matter to an umpire, and if you will not consent,

I shall win by your refusal.

Danhasch, who was ready to have shown a different kind of

complaisance for Maimoune, no sooner gave his consent, but Maimoune

stamping with her foot, the earth opened, and out came a hideous,

hump-backed, squinting, and lame genie, with six horns on his head,

and claws on his hands and feet. As soon as he was come out, and the

earth had closed up, he, perceiving Maimoune, cast himself at her

feet; and then, rising up on one knee, asked her what she would

please to have with him.

Rise, Caschcasch, said Maimoune; I brought you hither to determine a

difference between me and this cursed Danhasch. --Look on that bed,

and tell me, without partiality, which is the handsomest of those

two that lie there asleep, the young man or the young lady.

Caschcasch looked on the prince and princess with great attention,

admiration, and surprise; and after he had considered them a good

while, without being able to determine which was the handsomer, he

turned to Maimoune, and said, Madam, I must confess I should deceive

you, and betray myself, if I pretended to say one was a whit

handsomer than the other: the more I examine them, the more it seems

to me each possesses, in a sovereign degree, the beauty which is

betwixt them; and one has not the least detect by which to say it

yields to the other. But if there be any difference, the best way to

determine it is, to awaken them one after the other, and to agree

that the person who shall express most love for the other by ardour,

eagerness, and passion, shall be deemed to have less beauty in some

respect.

This proposal of Caschcasch’s pleased equally both Maimoune and

Danhasch. Maimoune then changed herself into a flea, and, leaping on

the prince’s neck, stung him so smartly, that he awoke, and put up

his hand to the place; but Maimoune skipped away, and resumed her

pristine form, which, like those of the two genies, was invisible,

the better to observe what he would do.

In drawing back his hand, the prince chanced to let it fall on that

of the princess of China. He opened his eyes, and was exceedingly

surprised to find a lady lying by him, a lady of the greatest

beauty. He raised his head, and leaned on his elbow, the better to

consider her. Her blooming youth and incomparable beauty fired him

in a moment with a flame of which he had never yet been sensible,

and from which he had hitherto guarded himself with the greatest

attention.

Love seized on his heart in the most lively manner, insomuch that he

could not help crying out, What beauty! what charms! my heart! my

soul! In saying which, he kissed her forehead, both her cheeks, and

her mouth, with so little caution, that she had certainly been

awaked by it, had not she slept sounder than ordinary, through the

enchantment of Danhasch.

How! my pretty lady, said the prince, do you not awake at these

testimonies of love given you by prince Camaralzaman? Whosoever you

are, he is not unworthy of your affection. He was going to awake her

at that instant, but suddenly restrained himself. Is not this she,

said he, that the sultan my father would have had me marry? He was

in the wrong not to let me see her sooner; I should not have

offended him by my disobedience and passionate language to him in

public, and he would have spared himself the confusion which I have

occasioned him.

The prince began to repent sincerely of the fault he had committed

and was once more upon the point of awaking the princess of China.

It may be, said he, recollecting himself, the sultan my father has a

mind to surprise me, and has sent this young lady to try if I had

really that aversion to marriage which I pretended. Who knows but he

has brought her himself, and is hid behind the hangings, to discover

himself and make me ashamed of my dissimulation? This second fault

would be greater than the first. At all events, I will content

myself with this ring, as a remembrance of her.

He then gently drew off a fine ring which the princess had on her

finger, and immediately put on one of his own in the place. After

this he turned his back, and was not long before he fell into a more

profound sleep than before, through the enchantment of the genies.

As soon as prince Camaralzaman was in a sound sleep, Danhasch

transformed himself into a flea in his turn, and went and bit the

princess so rudely on the lip, that she forthwith awoke, started up,

and opening her eyes, was not a little surprised to see a man lying

by her side. From surprise she proceeded to admiration, and from

admiration to a transport of joy, at seeing so beautiful and lovely

a young man.

What! cried she, is it you the king my father has designed me for a

husband? I am indeed most unfortunate for not knowing it before, for

then I should not have made him so angry with me, nor been so long

deprived of a husband, whom I cannot forbear loving with all my

heart. Wake then, wake! proceeded she, for it does not become a

husband to sleep so soundly the first night of his nuptials.

So saying, she took prince Camaralzaman by the arm, and shook him so

violently, that he would have awaked, had not Maimoune increased his

sleep, and augmented his enchantment. She shook him several times,

and finding that he did not awake, she cried, What is come to thee?

what jealous rival, envying thy happiness and mine, has had recourse

to magic to throw thee into this unsurmountable drowsiness when thou

shouldst be most awake? Then she seized his hand, and kissing it

eagerly, perceived he had a ring upon his finger which greatly

resembled hers, and which she was convinced was her own, by seeing

she had another on her finger instead of it. She could not

comprehend how this exchange could be made; yet she did not doubt

but it was a certain token of their marriage. Tired with her

fruitless endeavours to awake the prince, and assured, as she

thought, he could not escape her; Since, said she, I find it is not

in my power to awake thee, I will no longer try to disturb thy

repose, but wait our next meeting. After having given him a hearty

kiss on the cheek, she lay down again and soon fell asleep.

When Maimoune saw that she could now speak without fear of awaking

the princess, she cried to Danhasch, Ah, cursed genie, dost thou not

now see what thy contest is come to? Art thou not now convinced how

much thy princess is inferior to my prince in charms? But I pardon

thee thy wager. Another time believe me when I assert any thing.

Then turning to Caschcasch, As for you, said she, I thank you for

your trouble: take the princess, in conjunction with Danhasch, and

convey her back again to her bed, from whence he has taken her.

Danhasch and Caschcasch did as they were commanded, and Maimoune

returned to her well.

Prince Camaralzaman waking next morning, looked to see if the lady

whom he had seen the night before were by him. When he found she was

gone, he cried out, I thought indeed this was a trick the king, my

father, designed to play me. I am glad I was aware of it. Then he

waked the slave, who was still asleep, and bid him come and dress

him, without saying any thing to him. The slave brought a basin and

water, and after he had washed and said his prayers, he took a book

and read some time.

After those usual exercises, he called the slave, and said to him,

Come hither, and look you do not tell me a lie. How came the lady

hither who lay with me to-night, and who brought her?

My lord, answered the slave, with great astonishment, I know not

what lady your highness speaks of. I speak, said the prince, of her

that came, or rather that was brought hither, and lay with me

to-night. My lord, replied the slave, I swear I know of no such

lady; and how should she come in without my knowledge, since I lay

at the door?

You are a lying rascal, replied the prince, and in the plot to vex

and provoke me the more. So saying, he gave him a box on the ear,

which knocked him down; and after having stamped upon him for some

time, at length tying the well-rope under his arms, he plunged him

several times into the water. I will drown thee, cried he, if thou

dost not tell me speedily who this lady was, and who brought her.

The slave, perplexed and half dead, said within himself, the prince

must have lost his senses through grief, and I shall not escape if I

do not tell him a lie. My lord, then cried he, in a suppliant tone,

I beseech your highness to spare my life, and I will tell you the

truth.

The prince drew the slave up, and pressed him to tell him. As soon

as he was out of the well, my lord, said he trembling, your highness

must perceive it is impossible for me to satisfy you in my present

condition; I beg you to give me leave to go and change my clothes

first. I permit you, but do it quickly, said the prince; and be sure

you conceal nothing.

The slave went out, and having locked the door upon the prince, ran

to the palace just as he was. The king was at that time in discourse

with his prime vizier, to whom he had just related the grief in

which he had passed the night on account of his son’s

disobedience, and opposition to his will.

The minister endeavoured to comfort his master, by telling him, the

prince himself had given him opportunity to reduce him. Sir, said

he, your majesty need not repent of having treated your son after

this sort. Have but patience to let him continue awhile in prison,

and assure yourself his heat of youth will abate, and he will submit

to all you require.

The grand vizier had just made an end of speaking, when the slave

came in, and cast himself at king Schahzaman’s feet. My lord, said

he, I am very sorry to be the messenger of ill news to your majesty,

which I know must create you fresh affliction. The prince is

distracted, my lord; what he talks of a lady having lain with him

all night, and his treatment to me, as you may see, too plainly

proves it. Then he proceeded to tell all the particulars of what

prince Camaralzaman had said to him, and the violence with which he

had been treated, in terms that made his story credible.

The king, who did not expect to hear any thing of this afflictive

kind, said to the prime minister, This is a very melancholy turn,

very different from the hopes you gave me just now: go immediately,

without loss of time, see what is the matter, and come and give me

an account.

The grand vizier obeyed instantly; and coming into the prince’s

chamber, he found him sitting on his bed in good temper, and with a

book in his hand, which he was reading.

After mutual salutations, the vizier sat down by him, and said, My

lord, I wish that a slave of yours was punished for coming to

frighten the king, your father, by news that he has brought him.

What news is that, replied the prince, that could give my father so

great alarm? I have much greater cause to complain of that slave.

Prince, answered the vizier, God forbid that the news which he has

told your father concerning you should be true; indeed, I myself

find it to be false, by the good temper I observe you in, and which

I pray God to continue. It may be, replied the prince, he did not

make himself well understood; but since you are come, who ought to

know something of the matter, give me leave to ask you, who was that

lady that lay with me last night?

The grand vizier was thunderstruck at this question: however, he

recovered himself, and said, My lord, be not surprised at my

astonishment at your question. Is it possible, that a lady, or any

other person in the world, should penetrate by night into this

place, without entering at the door, and walking over the body of

your slave? I beseech you recollect yourself, and you will find it

is only a dream which has made this impression on you.

I give no ear to what you say, said the prince, raising his voice; I

must know of you absolutely what is become of the lady; and if you

scruple to obey me, I am in a place where I shall soon be able to

force you to obey me.

At these stern words, the grand vizier began to be under greater

confusion than before, and was thinking how to extricate himself. He

endeavoured to pacify the prince by good words, and begged of him,

in the most humble and guarded manner, to tell him if he had seen

this lady.

Yes, yes, answered the prince, I have seen her, and am very well

satisfied you sent her to tempt me. She played the part you had

given her admirably well, for I could not get a word out of her. She

pretended to be asleep, but I was no sooner got into a slumber; than

she arose and left me. You know all this: for I doubt not she has

been to make her report to you.

My lord, replied the vizier, I swear to you nothing of this has been

acted, which you seem to reproach me with; neither your father nor I

have sent this lady you speak of; permit me, therefore, to remind

your highness once more, you have only seen this lady in a dream.

Do you come to affront and contradict me, said the prince in a great

rage, and to tell me to my face, that what I have told you is a

dream? At the same time, he took him by the beard, and loaded him

with blows, as long as he could stand.

The poor grand vizier endured with respectful patience all the

violence of his lord’s indignation, and could not help saying

within himself, Now am I in as bad a condition as the slave, and

shall think myself happy if I can, like him, escape from farther

danger. In the midst of repeated blows, he cried out for a

moment’s audience, which the prince, after he had nearly tired

himself with beating him, consented to give him.

I own, my prince, said the grand vizier, dissembling, there is

something in what your highness suspects: but you cannot be ignorant

of the necessity a minister is under to obey his royal master’s

orders; yet if you will but be pleased to set me at liberty, I will

go and tell him any thing on your part that you shall think fit to

command me. Go, then, said the prince, and tell him from me, if he

pleases, I will marry the lady he sent me, or rather that was

brought to me last night Do this quickly, and bring me a speedy

answer. The grand vizier made a profound reverence, and went away,

not thinking himself altogether safe till he had got out of the

tower, and shut the door upon the prince.

He came and presented himself before king Schahzaman, with a

countenance that sufficiently showed he had been ill used, and which

the king could not behold without concern. Well, said the king, in

what condition did you find my son? Sir, answered the vizier, what

the slave reported to your majesty is but too true. He then began to

relate his interview with Camaralzaman, how he flew into a passion

upon his endeavouring to persuade him it was impossible the lady he

spoke of should have got in to him; the ill-treatment he had

received from him; how he had used him, and by what means he made

his escape.

Schahzaman, so much the more concerned as he loved the prince with

excessive tenderness, resolved to find out the truth of this matter,

and therefore proposed himself, to go and see his son in the tower,

accompanied with the grand vizier.

Prince Camaralzaman received the king, his father, in the tower

where he was confined, with great respect. The king sat down, and

after he had made his son the prince sit down by him, put several

questions to him, which he answered with great good sense. The king

every now and then looked on the grand vizier, as intimating he did

not find his son had lost his wits, but rather thought he had lost

his.

The king at length spoke of the lady to the prince. My son, said he,

I desire you to tell me what lady it was that lay with you the other

night, as I have been told.

Sir, answered Camaralzaman, I beg your majesty not to give me more

vexation on that head, but rather to oblige me by letting me have

her in marriage: whatever aversion I may hitherto have discovered

for women, this young lady has charmed me to that degree, that I

cannot help confessing my weakness. I am ready to receive her at

your majesty’s hands, with the deepest gratitude.

King Schahzaman was surprised at this answer of the prince, so

remote, as he thought, from the good sense he had shown before. My

son, said he to him, you fill me with the greatest astonishment

imaginable by what you now say to me; I swear to you by my crown,

that is to devolve upon you after me, I know not one word of the

lady you mention; and if any such has come to you, it was altogether

without my knowledge or privity. But how could she get into this

tower without my consent? For whatever my grand vizier told you, it

was only to appease you: it must therefore be a mere dream; and I

beg of you not to believe otherwise, but recover your senses.

Sir, replied the prince, I should be for ever unworthy of your

majesty’s favour, if I did not give entire credit to what you are

pleased to say; but I humbly beseech you at the same time to give a

patient hearing to what I shall say to you, and then to judge

whether what I have the honour to tell you be a dream or not.

Then prince Camaralzaman related to the king his father after what

manner he had been awaked, exaggerating the beauty and charms of the

lady he found by his side, the instantaneous love he conceived for

her, and the pains he took to awaken her without effect. He did not

conceal what had obliged him to awake and fall asleep again, after

he had made the exchange of his ring with that of the lady: showing

the king the ring, he added, Sir, your majesty must needs know my

ring very well, you have seen it so often. After this I hope you

will be convinced that I have not lost my senses, as you have been

almost made to believe.

King Schahzaman was so perfectly convinced of the truth of what his

son had been telling him, that he had not a word to say, remaining

astonished for some time, and not being able to utter a syllable.

The prince took advantage of this opportunity, and said farther,

Sir, the passion I have conceived for this charming lady, whose

precious image I bear continually in my mind, is so very great, that

I cannot resist it. I entreat you therefore to have compassion on

me, and procure me the happiness of enjoying her.

Son, replied the king, after what I have just heard, and what I see

by the ring on your finger, I cannot doubt but that your passion is

real, and that you have seen this lady, who is the object of it.

Would to God I knew who she was, and I would make you happy from

this moment, and I should be the happiest father in the world! But

what means have I to come at the knowledge of her? Where shall I

find her, and how seek for her? How could she get in here, and by

what conveyance, without my consent? Why did she come to sleep with

you only to show you her beauty, to kindle a flame of love while she

slept, and then leave you while you were in a slumber? These things,

I must confess, are past my finding out; and if Heaven is not so

favourable to us as to give some light into them, we, I fear, must

both go down to the grave together. So saying, and taking the prince

by the hand, Come then, my son, let us go and afflict ourselves in

conjunction; you with hopeless love, and I with seeing you grieve,

and not being able to remedy your affliction.

King Schahzaman then led his son out of the tower, and conveyed him

to the palace, where he was no sooner arrived, than in despair for

loving an unknown object he fell sick, and took to his bed; the king

shut himself up with him, and spent many a day in weeping, without

attending to the affairs of his kingdom.

The prime minister, who was the only person that had admittance to

him, came one day and told him, the whole court, and even the

people, began to murmur at not seeing him, and that he did not

administer justice every day as he was wont to do; adding, he knew

not what disorder it might occasion. I humbly beg your majesty,

therefore, proceeded he, to pay some attention, I am sensible your

majesty’s company is a great comfort to the prince, and that his

company is a mutual relief to your grief; but then you must not run

the risk of letting all be lost. Permit me to propose to your

majesty, to remove with the prince to the castle on a little island

near the port, where you may give audience to your subjects twice a

week only; during these absences the prince will be so agreeably

amused with the beauty, prospect, and good air of the place, that he

will bear them with the less uneasiness.

King Schahzaman approved this proposal; and after the castle, where

he had not resided for some time, had been furnished, he removed

thither with the prince; and, excepting the time that he gave

audience, as aforesaid, he never left him, but passed all his time

on his son’s pillow, endeavouring to comfort him in sharing his

grief.

While matters passed thus in the capital of king Schahzaman, the two

genies, Danhasch and Caschcasch, had carried the princess of China

back to the palace where the king had shut her up, and laid her in

her bed as before.

When she awaked next morning, and found by looking to the right and

to the left, that prince Camaralzaman was not by her, she cried out

with such a voice to her women as soon brought them to her bed. Her

nurse, who presented herself first, desired to be informed what she

would please to have, and if any thing disagreeable had happened to

her.

Tell me, said the princess, what is become of the young man that has

passed the night with me, and whom I love with all my soul? Madam,

replied the nurse, we cannot understand your highness, unless you

will be pleased to explain yourself.

A young man, the best made and most amiable, said the princess,

slept with me last night, whom, with all my caresses, I could not

awake; I ask you where he is?

Madam, answered the nurse, your highness asks us these questions to

jest with us. I beseech you to rise. I am in earnest, said the

princess, and I must know where this young man is. Madam, insisted

the nurse, you were alone when you went to bed last night; and how

any man could come to you without our knowledge, we cannot imagine,

for we all lay about the door of your chamber, which was locked, and

I had the key in my pocket.

At this the princess lost all patience, and catching her nurse by

the hair of her head, and giving her two or three sound cuffs, she

cried, You shall tell me where this young man is, old sorceress, or

I will beat your brains out.

The nurse struggled to get from her, and at last succeeded; when she

went immediately, with tears in her eyes, and her face all bloody,

to complain to the queen her mother, who was not a little surprised

to see her in this condition, and asked who had done this.

Madam, began the nurse, you see how the princess has treated me; she

had certainly murdered me, if I had not had the good fortune to

escape out of her hands. She then began to tell what had been the

cause of all that violent passion in the princess. The queen was

surprised to hear it, and could not guess how she came to be so

infatuated, as to take that for a reality which could be no other

than a dream. Your majesty must conclude from all this, madam,

continued the nurse, that the princess is out of her senses. You

will think so yourself, if you will go and see her.

The queen’s affection for the princess was too deeply interested

in what she heard; she ordered the nurse to follow her; and they

went together to the princess’s palace that very moment.

The queen of China sat down by her daughter’s bed-side,

immediately upon her arrival in her apartment; and after she had

informed herself about her health, began to ask her what had made

her so angry with her nurse, as to treat her in the manner she had

done. Daughter, said she, this is not right; and a great princess

like you should not suffer herself to be so transported with passion.

Madam, replied the princess, I plainly perceive your majesty is come

to mock me; but I declare I will never let you rest till you consent

I shall marry the young man that lay with me last night. You must

know where he is, and therefore I beg of your majesty to let him

come in to me again.

Daughter, answered the queen, you surprise me; I know nothing of

what you talk of. Then the princess lost all respect for the queen.

Madam, replied she, the king my father and you have persecuted me

about marrying, when I had no inclination; I now have an

inclination, and I will have this young man I told you of, for my

husband, or I will kill myself.

Here the queen endeavoured to calm the princess by soft words.

Daughter, said she, you know well you are alone in this apartment;

how then could any man come to you? But instead of hearing her, the

princess interrupted her, and flew out into such extravagancies as

obliged the queen to leave her, and retire in great affliction, to

inform the king of all that had passed.

The king hearing it, had a mind likewise to be satisfied in person;

and coming to his daughter’s apartment, asked her if what he had

just heard was true. Sir, replied the princess, let us talk no more

of that; I only beseech your majesty to grant me the favour that I

may marry the young man I lay with last night.

What! daughter, said the king, has any one lain with you last night?

How, sir, replied the princess, without giving him time to go on, do

you ask me if any one lay with me last night? your majesty knows

that but too well. He was the finest and best made youth the sun

ever saw. I desire him of you for my husband: I entreat you do not

refuse me. But that your majesty may not longer doubt whether I have

seen this young man, whether he has lain with me, whether I have

caressed him, or whether I did not do my utmost to awake him,

without succeeding, see, if you please, this ring. She then reached

forth her hand, and showed the king a man’s ring on her finger.

The king did not know what to make of all this; but as he had

confined her as mad, he began to think her more mad than ever:

therefore, without saying any thing more to her, for fear she might

do violence to herself or somebody about her, he had her chained,

and shut up more close than ever, allowing her only the nurse to

wait on her, with a good guard at the door.

The king, exceedingly concerned at this indisposition of his

daughter, sought all possible means to get her cured. He assembled

his council, and after having acquainted them with the condition she

was in, If any of you, said he, is capable of undertaking her cure,

and succeeds, I will give her to him in marriage, and make him heir

to my dominions and crown after my decease.

The desire of enjoying a handsome young princess, and the hopes of

one day governing so powerful a kingdom as that of China, had a

strange effect on an emir, already advanced in age, who was present

at this council. As he was well skilled in magic, he offered the

king to cure his daughter, and flattered himself with success. I

consent, said the king; but I forgot to tell you one thing, and that

is, that if you do not succeed, you shall lose your head. It would

not be reasonable you should have so great a reward, and yet run no

risk on your part: and what I say to you, continued the king, I say

to all others that shall come after you, that they may consider

beforehand what they undertake.

The emir, however, accepted the condition, and the king conducted

him where the princess was. She covered her face as soon as she saw

them come in, and cried out, Your majesty surprises me, in bringing

with you a man I do not know, and by whom my religion forbids me to

be seen. Daughter, replied the king, you need not be scandalized, it

is only one of my emirs who is come to demand you of me in marriage.

It is not, I perceive, the person that you have already given me,

and whose faith is plighted by the ring I wear, replied the

princess: be not offended that I will never marry any other.

The emir expected the princess would have said or done some

extravagant thing, and was not a little disappointed when he heard

her talk so calmly and rationally; for then he knew her disease was

nothing but a violent and deep-rooted love-passion. He dared not

explain himself to the king, who would not have suffered the

princess to give her hand to any other than the person to whom he

wished to give her with his own hand. He therefore threw himself at

his majesty’s feet, and said, After what I have heard and

observed, sir, it will be to no purpose for me to think of curing

the princess, since I have no remedies proper for her malady; for

which reason I humbly submit my life to your majesty’s pleasure.

The king, enraged at his incapacity, and the trouble he had given

him, caused him immediately to be beheaded.

Some days after, his majesty, unwilling to have it said that he had

neglected his daughter’s cure, put forth a proclamation in his

capital, importing, that if there were any physician, astrologer, or

magician, who would undertake to restore the princess to her senses,

he need only come, and he should be employed, on condition of losing

his head if he miscarried. He had the same published in the other

principal cities and towns of his dominions, and in the courts of

the princes his neighbours.

The first that presented himself was an astrologer and magician,

whom the king caused to be conducted to the princess’s prison by a

eunuch. The astrologer drew forth, out of a bag he carried under his

arm, an astrolabe, a small sphere, a chafing-dish, several sorts of

drugs proper for fumigations, a brass pot, with many other things,

and desired he might have a fire lighted.

The princess demanded what all these preparations were for. Madam,

answered the eunuch, they are to exorcise the evil spirit that

possesses you, to shut him up in this pot, and throw him into the

sea.

Foolish astrologer, replied the princess, I have no occasion for any

of your preparations, but am in my perfect senses, and you alone are

mad. If your art can bring him I love to me, I shall be obliged to

you; otherwise you may go about your business, for I have nothing to

do with you. Madam, said the astrologer, if your case be so, I shall

desist from all endeavours, believing the king your father can only

remedy your disaster in this particular. So putting up his trinkets

again, he marched away, very much concerned that he had so easily

undertaken to cure an imaginary malady.

Coming to give an account to the king of what he had done, he would

not wait for the eunuch to speak for him, but began thus boldly:

According to what your majesty published in your proclamation, and

what you were pleased to confirm to me yourself, I thought the

princess was distracted, and depended on being able to recover her

by the secrets I have long been acquainted with; but I soon found

she had no other disease than that of love, over which my art had no

power: your majesty alone is the physician that can cure her, by

giving her in marriage to the person whom she desires.

The king was very much enraged at the astrologer, and had his head

cut off upon the spot. But his fate did not deter others from making

a similar attempt, so that in a short time, a hundred and fifty

astrologers, physicians, and magicians, who came upon this account,

all underwent the same fate; and their heads were set upon poles on

every gate of the city.

The Story of Marzavan, with the sequel of that of the Prince

Camaralzaman.

The princess of China’s nurse had a son, whose name was Marzavan,

and who had been foster-brother to the princess, and brought up with

her. Their friendship was so great during their childhood, and all

the time they had been together, that they treated each other as

brother and sister, as they grew up, even some time after their

separation.

This Marzavan, among other studies, had from his youth been much

addicted to judicial astrology, geomancy, and the like secret arts,

wherein he became exceeding skilful. Not content with what he had

learned from masters, he travelled as soon as he was able to bear

the fatigue; and there was hardly any person of note in any science

of art, but he sought him in the most remote cities, and kept

company with him long enough to obtain all the information he

desired, so great was his thirst after knowledge.

After several years absence in foreign parts on this account, he

returned to the capital city of his native country, China; where

seeing so many heads on the gate by which he entered, he was

exceedingly surprised; and coming home, demanded for what reason

they had been placed there; but more especially he informed himself

of the condition of the princess his foster-sister, whom he had not

forgotten. As he could not receive an answer to one inquiry without

the other, he heard at length the general account with much sorrow,

waiting till he could learn more from his mother, the princess’s

nurse.

Although the nurse, mother to Marzavan, was very much employed about

the princess, yet she no sooner heard her dear son was returned, but

she found time to come out, embrace him, and converse with him a

little. Having told him, with tears in her eyes, what a sad

condition the princess was in; and for what reason the king, her

father, had confined her, he desired to know of his mother, if she

could not procure him a private sight of her royal mistress, without

the king knowing it. After some pause, she told him she could say

nothing to him for the present, but if he would meet her next day at

the same hour, she would give him an answer.

The nurse knowing none could approach the princess, but herself,

without leave of the eunuch who commanded the guard at the gate,

addressed herself to him, who she knew was so lately appointed, that

he could know nothing of what had before passed at the court of

China. You know, said she to him, I have brought up and suckled the

princess, and you may likewise have heard that I had a daughter whom

I brought up along with her. This daughter has been since married;

yet the princess still does her the honour to love her, and would

fain see her, but she would do it without any body’s perceiving

her coming in or out.

The nurse would have gone on; but the eunuch cried, Say no more; I

will with pleasure do any thing to oblige the princess: go and fetch

your daughter, or send for her about midnight, and the gate shall be

open to you.

As soon as night came, the nurse went to look for her son, Marzavan,

and having found him, dressed him so artificially in women’s

clothes, that nobody could know he was a man. She carried him along

with her, and the eunuch verily believing it was her daughter,

admitted them together.

The nurse, before she presented Marzavan went to the princess, and

said, Madam, this is not a woman I have brought to you; it is my

son, Marzavan, in disguise, newly arrived from his travels, who

having a great desire to kiss your hand, I hope your highness will

admit him to that honour.

What! my brother Marzavan, said the princess, with great joy; come

hither, cried she, and take off that veil; for it is not

unreasonable sure that a brother and a sister should see each other

without covering their faces.

Marzavan saluted her with profound respect; when she, without giving

him time to speak, cried out, I am rejoiced to see you returned in

good health after so many years’ absence, and without sending the

least account all the while of your welfare, even to your good

mother.

Madam, replied Marzavan, I am infinitely obliged to your highness

for your goodness in rejoicing at my health: I hoped to have heard a

better account of yours than what, to my great affliction, I am now

witness of; nevertheless, I cannot but rejoice that I am come

seasonably enough to bring your highness that remedy which you stand

so much in need of; and though I should reap no other fruit of my

studies and long voyage, I should think myself fully recompensed.

Speaking these words, Marzavan drew forth out of his pocket a book

and other things, which he judged necessary to be used, according to

the account he had had from his mother of the princess’s

distemper. The princess seeing him make all these preparations,

cried out, What! brother, are you then one of those that believe me

mad? Undeceive yourself, and hear me.

The princess then began to relate to Marzavan all the particulars of

her story, without omitting the least circumstance, even to the ring

which was exchanged for hers, and which she showed him. I have not

concealed the least matter from you, quoth she; yet it is true,

there is something that I cannot comprehend, which has given

occasion for some persons to think me mad; but this is for want of

attending to the rest, which is literally as I tell you.

After the princess had done speaking, Marzavan, filled with wonder

and astonishment, continued for some time with his eyes fixed on the

ground, without speaking a word; but at length he lifted up his

head, and said, If it be as your highness says, and which I do not

in the least doubt, I do not despair to procure you the satisfaction

you desire; but I must first entreat your highness to arm yourself

with patience for some time longer, till I shall return; till I have

travelled over kingdoms which I have not yet visited; and when you

hear of my return, be assured the object of your wishes is not far

off. So saying, Marzavan took leave of the princess, and set out

next morning on his intended voyage.

He travelled from city to city, from province to province, and from

island to island; and in every place he passed through, he could

hear of nothing but the princess Badoura, which was the princess of

China’s name, and her history.

About four months after, our traveller arrived at Torf, a seaport

town, great and populous, where he no more heard of the princess

Badoura, but all the talk was of prince Camaralzaman, who was sick,

and whose history very much resembled hers. Marzavan was extremely

delighted to hear this, and informed himself of the place where the

prince was to be found. There were two ways to it; one by land and

sea, the other by sea only, which was the shortest way.

Marzavan chose the latter, and embarking on board a merchant ship,

he arrived safe in sight of king Schahzaman’s capital; but just

before it entered the port, the ship struck against a rock, by the

unskilfulness of the pilot, and foundered. It went down in sight of

prince Camaralzaman’s castle, where were at that time the king and

his grand vizier.

Marzavan could swim very well, and immediately upon the ship’s

sinking, cast himself into the sea, and got safe on shore under the

castle, where he was soon relieved by the grand vizier’s order.

After he had changed his clothes, and been well treated, and was

recovered, he was introduced to the grand vizier, who had sent for

him.

Marzavan being a young man of good air and address, this minister

received him very civilly; and when he heard him give such just and

pertinent answers to what was asked of him, conceived a great esteem

for him. He also gradually perceived he possessed a great deal of

knowledge; therefore said to him, From what I can understand, I

perceive you are no common man; you have travelled a great way;

would to God, you had learned any secret for curing a certain sick

person, who has greatly afflicted this court for a long while.

Marzavan replied, If he knew what malady that was, he might perhaps

find a remedy for it.

Then the grand vizier related to him the whole story of prince

Carmaralzaman, from its origin, and concealed nothing; of his birth

so earnestly desired, his education, the inclination the king, his

father, had to see him early married, his resistance, and

extraordinary aversion to marriage, his disobeying his father in

full council, his imprisonment, his pretended extravagancies in

prison, which were afterwards changed into a violent passion for a

certain unknown lady, who, he pretended, had exchanged a ring with

him, though, for his part, he verily believed there was no such

person in the world.

Marzavan gave great attention to all the grand vizier said, and was

infinitely rejoiced to find, that by means of his shipwreck, he had

so fortunately lighted on the person he was looking after. He saw no

reason to doubt that prince Camaralzaman was the man the princess of

China was so violently in love with, and that this princess was

equally the object of his passion; therefore, without explaining

himself farther to the vizier, he desired to see him, that he might

be better able to judge of his distemper and its cure. Follow me,

said the grand vizier, and you will find the king with him, who has

already desired I should introduce you to him.

The first thing that struck Marzavan on entering the prince’s

chamber, was to find him upon his bed languishing, and with his eyes

shut. Although he saw them in that condition, and although the king,

his father was sitting by him, he could not help crying out,

Heavens! was there ever a greater resemblance! He meant to the

princess of China; for it seems the princess and prince were much

alike.

The words of Marzavan excited the prince’s curiosity so far, that

he opened his eyes and looked upon him. Marzavan, who had a ready

wit, laid hold of that opportunity, and made his compliment in verse

extempore, but in such a disguised manner, that neither the king nor

grand vizier understood any thing of the matter. However, he

represented so nicely what had happened to him with the princess of

China, that the prince had no reason to doubt he knew her, and could

give him tidings of her. This made him so joyful, that the effects

of it showed themselves in his eyes and looks.

After Marzavan had finished his compliments in verse, which

surprised prince Camaralzaman so agreeably, his highness took the

liberty to make a sign to the king, his father, to go from the place

where he was, and let Marzavan sit by him.

The king, overjoyed at this alteration, which gave him hopes of his

son’s speedy recovery, quitted his place, and taking Marzavan by

the hand, led him to it, obliging him to sit in it. Then his majesty

demanded of him who he was, and whence he came; and upon

Marzavan’s answering he was a subject of China, and came from that

kingdom, the king cried out, Heaven grant you may be able to recover

my son from this profound melancholy, and I shall be eternally

obliged to you; all the world shall see now handsomely I will reward

you. --Having said thus, he left the prince to converse at full

liberty with the stranger, whilst he went and rejoiced with the

grand vizier upon this happy rencontre.

Marzavan, leaning down to the prince, spoke low in his ear thus:

Prince, said he, it is time you should cease to grieve. The lady for

whom you suffer is the princess Badoura, daughter of Gaiour, king of

China. This I can assure your highness from what she has told me of

her adventure, and what I have learned of yours. She has suffered no

less on your account, than you have on hers. Here he began to relate

all that he knew of the princess’s story, from the fatal night of

their extraordinary interview.

He omitted not to acquaint him, how the king had treated those who

had failed in their pretensions to cure the princess of her

indisposition. But your highness is the only person, added he, that

can cure her effectually, and may present yourself without fear.

However, before you undertake so great a voyage, I would have you

perfectly recovered, and then we will take such measures as are

necessary. Think then, immediately, of the recovery of your health.

This discourse had a marvellous effect on the prince: he found so

great relief by the hopes he conceived of speedily fulfilling his

desires, that he felt he had strength sufficient to rise, and begged

leave of his father to dress himself with such an air, as gave the

old king incredible pleasure.

King Schahzaman could not refrain from embracing Marzavan, without

inquiring into the means he had used to produce this wonderful

effect; and soon after went out of the prince’s chamber with the

grand vizier, to publish this agreeable news. He ordered public

rejoicings for several days together, and gave great largesses to

his officers and the people, alms to the poor, and caused the

prisoners to be set at liberty throughout his kingdom. The joy was

soon general in the capital, and in every corner of his dominions.

Prince Camaralzaman, though extremely weakened by almost continual

want of sleep, and long abstinence from almost all food, soon

recovered his health. When he found himself in a condition to

undertake the voyage, he took Marzavan aside, and said, Dear

Marzavan, it is now time to perform the promise you have made me. I

burn with impatience to see the charming princess; and if you do not

speedily give me an opportunity to put an end to her torments and my

own, by setting out on our journey immediately, I shall soon relapse

into my former condition. One thing still afflicts me, continued he,

and that is the difficulty I shall meet with in getting leave of my

father to go. This would be a cruel disappointment to me, if you do

not contrive a way to prevent it. You see he scarce ever leaves me.

At these words the prince fell to weeping; and Marzavan said, I

foresaw this difficulty; let not your highness be grieved at that,

for I will undertake to prevent it. My principal design in this

voyage was to deliver the princess of China from her malady, and

this from all the reasons of mutual affection which we have borne to

each other from our birth, besides the zeal and affection I

otherwise owe her; and I should be wanting in my duty to her, if I

did not do my best endeavour to effect her cure and yours, and exert

my utmost skill. This is then the means I have contrived to obtain

your liberty: you have not stirred abroad for some time, therefore

let the king, your father, understand you have a mind to take the

air, and ask his leave to go out on a hunting party two or three

days with me. No doubt he will grant your request; which when he has

done, order two good horses to be got ready, one to mount, the other

to change, and leave the rest to me.

Next day, prince Camaralzaman took his opportunity. He acquainted

the king, he was desirous to take the air, and if he pleased, would

go and hunt two or three days with Marzavan. The king gave his

consent, but bid him be sure not to lie out above one night, since

too much exercise at first might impair his health, and too long

absence create his majesty uneasiness. He then ordered him to choose

the best horses in his stable, and himself took particular care that

nothing should be wanting. When all was ready, his majesty embraced

the prince, and having recommended to Marzavan the care of him, he

let him go. Prince Camaralzaman and Marzavan were soon mounted;

when, to amuse the two grooms that led the fresh horses, they made

as if they would hunt, and so got as far off the city and out of the

road as was possible. When night began to approach, they alighted at

a caravansera or inn, where they supped, and slept till about

midnight, when Marzavan awaked the prince, without awaking the

grooms, and desired his highness to let him have his suit, and to

take another for himself, which was brought in his baggage. Thus

equipped, they mounted the fresh horses, and after Marzavan had

taken one of the groom’s horses by the bridle, they set out as

hard as their horses could go.