meeting of four roads, Marzavan desired the prince to wait for him a
little, and went into the forest. He then cut the groom’s
horse’s throat, and after having torn the prince’s suit, which
he had put off, besmearing it with blood, he threw it into the
highway.
The prince demanded his reason for what he had done. He told his
highness he was sure the king, his father, would no sooner find that
he did not return, and come to know that he was departed without the
grooms, but he would suspect something, and immediately send people
in quest of them. They that come to this place, said he, and find
this bloody habit, will conclude you are devoured by wild beasts,
and that I have escaped to avoid the king’s anger. The king,
persuading himself you are dead, will stop farther pursuit, and we
may have leisure to continue our journey without fear of being
followed. I must confess, continued Marzavan, this is a violent way
of proceeding, to alarm an old father with the death of his son,
whom he loves so passionately; but his joy will be the greater when
he shall hear you are alive and happy. --Brave Marzavan, replied the
prince, I cannot but approve such an ingenious stratagem, or
sufficiently admire your conduct; I have fresh obligations to you
for it.
The prince and Marzavan, well provided with cash for their expenses,
continued their journey both by land and sea, and found no other
obstacle, but the length of the time which it necessarily took up.
They, however, arrived at length at the capital of China, where
Marzavan, instead of going to his lodging, carried the prince to a
public inn. They tarried there incognito three days, to rest
themselves after the fatigue of the voyage; during which time,
Marzavan caused an astrologer’s habit to be made for the prince.
The three days being expired, they went together to the bath, where
the prince put on his astrologer’s habit; and from thence Marzavan
conducted him in sight of the king of China’s palace, where he
left him, to go and acquaint his mother, the princess Badoura’s
nurse, of his arrival, to the end she might inform the princess.
Prince Camaralzaman, instructed by Marzavan what he was to do, and
provided with all he wanted as an astrologer, came next morning to
the gate of the king’s palace, before the guards and porters, and
cried aloud, I am an astrologer, and am come to effect a cure on the
respectable princess Badoura, daughter of the most high and mighty
monarch Gaiour, king of China, on the conditions proposed by his
majesty, to marry her if I succeed, or else to lose my life for my
fruitless and presumptuous attempt.
Besides the guards and porters at the gate, this novelty drew
together a great number of people about prince Camaralzaman. There
had no physician, astrologer, nor magician appeared for a long time
on this account, deterred by the many tragical examples of ill
success that appeared before their eyes; it was therefore thought
there were no more of these professions in the world, or that there
were none so mad as those that had gone before them.
The prince’s good mien, noble air, and blooming youth, made every
body that saw him pity him. What mean you, sir, said some that were
nearest to him, thus to expose a life of such promising expectations
to certain death? Cannot the heads you see on all the gates of this
city deter you from such an undertaking? In the name of God,
consider what you do; abandon this rash attempt, and begone.
The prince continued firm, notwithstanding all these remonstrances;
and as he saw nobody come to introduce him, he repeated the same cry
with a boldness that made every body tremble. They all then cried,
Let him alone, he is resolved to die; God have mercy upon his youth
and his soul! --He then proceeded to cry out a third time in the
same manner, when the grand vizier came in person, and introduced
him to the king of China.
As soon as the prince came into the king’s presence, he bowed and
kissed the ground. The king, who, of all that had hitherto
presumptuously exposed their lives on this occasion, had not seen
one worthy to cast his eyes upon before, felt real compassion for
prince Camaralzaman, on account of the danger he was about to
undergo. But as he saw him more deserving than ordinary, he showed
him more honour, and made him come and sit by him. Young man, said
he, I can hardly believe you, at this age, can have acquired
experience enough to dare attempt the cure of my daughter. I wish
you may succeed, and would give her to you in marriage with all my
heart, with the greatest joy, more willingly than I should have done
to others that have offered themselves before you; but I must
declare to you, at the same time, with great concern, that if you do
not succeed in your attempt, notwithstanding your noble appearance
and your youth, you must lose your head.
Sir, replied the prince, I have infinite obligations to your majesty
for the honour you design me, and the great goodness you show to a
stranger; but I desire your majesty to believe I would not have come
from so remote a country as I have done, the name of which, perhaps,
may be unknown in your dominions, if I had not been certain of the
cure I propose. What would not the world say of my fickleness, if,
after so great fatigues and dangers as I have undergone on this
account, I should abandon this generous enterprise? Even your
majesty would soon lose that esteem you have conceived for me. If I
must die, sir, I shall die with the satisfaction of not having lost
your esteem after I have merited it. I beseech your majesty,
therefore, to keep me no longer impatient to display the certainty
of my art, by the proof I am ready to give of it.
Then the king commanded the eunuch, who had the custody of the
princess, to introduce prince Camaralzaman into her apartment; but
before he would let him go, he reminded him once more that he was at
liberty to renounce his design; yet the prince paid no regard, but,
with astonishing resolution and eagerness, followed the eunuch.
When they came to a long gallery, at the end of which was the
princess’s apartment, the prince, who saw himself so near the
object of his wishes, who had occasioned him so many tears, pushed
on, and got before the eunuch.
The eunuch, redoubling his pace, with much ado got up with him.
Whither away so fast? cried he, taking him by the arm; you cannot
get in without me; and it should seem you have a great desire for
death, thus to run to it headlong. Not one of all those many
astrologers and magicians I have introduced before made such haste
as yourself to a place whither I fear you will come but too soon.
Friend, replied the prince, looking earnestly on the eunuch, and
continuing his pace, this was because none of the astrologers you
speak of were so sure of their art as I am of mine: they were
certain, indeed, they should die if they did not succeed, but they
had no certainty of their success. On this account they had reason
to tremble on approaching the place whither I go, and where I am
sure to find my happiness. He had just spoke these words as he was
at the door. The eunuch opened it, and introduced him into a great
hall, whence was an entrance into the princess’s chamber, divided
from it only by a piece of tapestry.
Prince Camaralzaman stopt before he entered, speaking more softly to
the eunuch for fear of being heard in the princess’s chamber. To
convince you, said he, there is neither presumption, nor whim, nor
youthful conceit, in my undertaking, I leave it to your own desire,
whether I should cure the princess in your presence, or where we
are, without going any farther.
The eunuch was amazed to hear the prince talk to him with such
confidence; he left off insulting him, and said seriously to him, It
is no matter whether you do it here or there, provided the business
is done: cure her how you will, you will get immortal honour by it,
not only in this court, but over all the world.
The prince replied, It will be best, then, to cure her without
seeing her, that you may be witness of my skill. Notwithstanding my
impatience to see a princess of her rank, who is to be my wife, yet,
out of respect to you, I will deprive myself of that pleasure for a
little while. He was furnished with everything proper for an
astrologer to carry about him: taking pen, ink, and paper, out of
his pocket, he wrote this billet to the princess:--
Prince Camaralzaman to the Princess of China.
‘Adorable princess!
‘The love-sick prince Camaralzaman will not trouble you with a
recital of the inexpressible pains that he has endured ever since
that fatal night in which your charms deprived him of the liberty
which he resolved to preserve as long as he lived. He only tells you
that he devoted his heart to you in your charming slumbers; those
importunate slumbers that hindered him from beholding the brightness
of your piercing eyes, in spite of all his endeavours to oblige you
to open them. He presumed to present you with his ring as a token of
his passion; and to take yours in exchange, which he sends in this
billet. If you will condescend to return it, as a reciprocal pledge
of your love, he will esteem himself the happiest of all lovers. If
not, the sentence of death, which your refusal brings him, will be
received with the more resignation, because he dies for love of you.
He waits in your ante-chamber for your answer.’
When the prince had finished his billet, he folded it up, and
enclosed in it the princess’s ring, without letting the eunuch see
what he did. When he had sealed it, he gave it to him: There,
friend, said he, carry it to your mistress; if it does not cure her
as soon as she reads it, and sees what is inclosed in it, I give you
leave to tell every body that I am the most ignorant and impudent
astrologer that ever was, is, or ever will be.
The eunuch, entering the princess of China’s chamber, gave her the
packet he received from prince Camaralzaman. Madam, said he, the
boldest astrologer that ever lived, if I am not mistaken, is arrived
here, and pretends, that on reading this letter, and seeing what is
in it, you will be cured; I wish he may prove neither a liar nor
impostor.
The princess Badoura took this billet, and opened it with a great
deal of indifference: but when she saw the ring, she had not
patience to read it through: she rose hastily, broke the chain that
held her by struggling, ran to the door, and opened it. She knew the
prince as soon as she saw him, and he knew her: they presently
embraced each other tenderly, and without being able to speak for
excess of joy: they looked on one another a long time, wondering how
they met again after their first interview. The princess’s nurse,
who ran to the door with her, made them come into her chamber, where
the princess Badoura gave the prince her ring, saying, Take it, I
cannot keep it without restoring yours, which I will never part
with; neither can it be in better hands.
The eunuch went immediately to tell the king of China what had
happened. Sir, said he, all the astrologers and doctors who have
hitherto pretended to cure the princess, were fools in comparison of
the last. He made use neither of schemes nor conjurations, of
perfumes, or any thing else, but cured her without seeing her. Then
he told the king how he did it. The monarch was agreeably surprised
at the news, and going presently to the princess’s chamber,
embraced her: he afterwards embraced the prince, and, taking his
hand, joined it to the princess’s. Happy stranger, said the king,
whoever you are, I will keep my word, and give you my daughter to
wife; though, by what I see in you, it is impossible for me to
believe you are really what you appear, and would have me believe
you to be.
Prince Camaralzaman thanked the king in the most humble expressions,
that he might the better show his gratitude. As for my person, said
he, I must own I am not an astrologer, as your majesty very
judiciously guessed; I only put on the habit of one, that I might
succeed more easily in my ambition to be allied to the most potent
monarch in the world. I was born a prince, and the son of a king and
of a queen; my name is Camaralzaman; my father is Schahzaman, who
now reigns over the islands that are well known by the name of the
Islands of the Children of Khaledan. He then told him his history,
and how wonderful was the rise of his love; that the princess’s
was altogether as marvellous; and that both were confirmed by the
exchange of the two rings.
When the prince had done speaking, the king said to him, This
history is so extraordinary, it deserves to be known to posterity; I
will take care it shall; and the original being deposited in my
royal archives, I will spread copies of it abroad, that my own
kingdom and the kingdoms around me may know it.
The marriage was solemnized the same day, and the rejoicings for it
were universal all over the empire of China. Nor was Marzavan
forgotten: the king gave him an honourable post in his court
immediately, and a promise of farther advancement.
Prince Camaralzaman and the princess Badoura enjoyed the fulness of
their wishes in the sweets of marriage; and the king kept continual
feastings for several months, to show his joy on the occasion.
In the midst of these pleasures, prince Camaralzaman dreamt one
night, that he saw his father, Schahzaman, on his deathbed, ready to
give up the ghost, and heard him speak thus to his attendants: My
son, to whom I gave birth; my son, whom I so tenderly loved; whom I
bred with so much fondness, so much care, has abandoned me, and is
himself the cause of my death. He awoke with a great sigh, which
awakened the princess, who asked him the cause of it.
Alas! my love, cried the prince, perhaps in the very moment that I
am speaking, the king, my father, is no more. He then acquainted her
with his melancholy dream, which occasioned him so much uneasiness.
The princess, who studied to please him in every thing, did not
immediately inform him she had contrived a way to do it, fearing
that the desire to see his father again would make him take less
delight in her company in a distant country. She went to her own
father that very day, and finding him alone, kissed his hand, and
thus addressed herself to him: Sir, I have a favour to beg of your
majesty, and I beseech you not to deny me; but that you may not
believe I ask it at the solicitation of the prince, my husband, I
assure you beforehand, he knows nothing of my asking it of you; it
is, that you will give leave for me to go with him and see king
Schahzaman, my father-in-law.
[Illustration: PRINCE CAMARALZAMAN & THE TALESMAN.]
Daughter, replied the king, though I shall be very sorry to part
with you for so long a time as a journey to a place so distant will
take up, yet I cannot disapprove of your resolution; it is worthy of
yourself, notwithstanding the fatigue of so long a journey; go,
child, I give you leave, but on condition that you stay no longer
than a year in king Schahzaman’s court. I hope the king will agree
to this, that we shall alternately see, he his son and his
daughter-in-law, and I my daughter and my son-in-law.
The princess communicated the king of China’s consent to prince
Camaralzaman, who was transported to hear it, and gave her thanks
for this new token of her love.
The king of China gave orders for preparations to be made for the
journey; and when all things were ready he accompanied the prince
and princess several days’ journey on their way; they parted at
length with great weeping on all sides; the king embraced them, and
having desired the prince to be kind to his daughter, and to love
her always with the same passion he now loved her, he left them to
proceed on their journey, and to divert himself, hunted all the way
as he returned to his capital city.
When prince Camaralzaman and the princess Badoura had dried up their
tears, they comforted themselves with the thought how glad king
Schahzaman would be to see them, and how they should rejoice to see
the king.
They travelled about a month, and at last came to a meadow of great
extent, planted at convenient distances with tall trees, forming an
agreeable shade. The day being unusually hot, Camaralzaman thought
it best to encamp there, and proposed it to Badoura, who, having the
same intention, the more readily consented to it. They alighted in
one of the finest spots; a tent was presently set up; the princess,
rising from the shade under which she sat down, entered it, and the
prince ordered his servants to pitch their tents also, while they
stayed there, and went himself to give directions. The princess,
weary with the fatigues of the journey, bid her women untie her
girdle, which they laid down by her; and she falling asleep, her
attendants left her by herself.
Prince Camaralzaman having seen all things in order, came to the
tent where the princess was sleeping; he entered, and sat down
without making any noise, intending to take a nap himself; but
observing the princess’s girdle lying by her, he took it up, and
looked upon the diamonds and rubies one by one. In doing it, he saw
a little purse hanging to it, sewed neatly on the stuff, and tied
fast with a riband; he felt it, and found there was something solid
in it. Desirous to know what it was, he opened the purse, and took
out a cornelian, engraven with unknown figures and characters. This
cornelian, said the prince to himself, must be something very
valuable, or my princess would not carry it with so much care. It
was Badoura’s talisman, [84] which the queen of China had given
her daughter as a charm, that would keep her, as she said, from any
harm as long as she had it about her.
The prince, the better to look at the talisman, took it out to the
light, the tent being dark; and while he was holding it up in his
hand, a bird darted down from the air and snatched it away from him.
It would be easy to conceive the concern and grief of prince
Camaralzaman, when he saw the bird fly away with the talisman. [85]
He was more troubled at it than words can express, and cursed his
unseasonable curiosity, by which means his dear princess had lost a
treasure that was so precious, and so valued by her.
The bird having got her prize, settled on the ground not far off,
with the talisman in her mouth. The prince drew near it, in hopes
she would drop it; but as he approached, the bird took wing, and
settled again on the ground farther off. Camaralzaman followed her,
and the bird having swallowed the talisman, took a farther flight;
the prince being very dexterous at a mark, thought to kill her with
a stone, and still followed her; the farther she flew, the more
eager he grew in pursuing her, keeping her always in view. Thus the
bird drew him along from hill to valley, and valley to hill, all
day, every step leading him out of the way from the field, where he
left his camp, and the princess Badoura; and instead of perching at
night on a bush, where he might probably have taken her, she roosted
on a high tree, safe from his pursuit. The prince vexed to the heart
for taking so much pains to no purpose, thought of returning to the
camp; but, said he to himself, which way shall I return? Shall I go
down the hills and valleys which I passed over? Shall I wander in
darkness? And will my strength bear me out? How durst I appear
before my princess without her talisman? Overwhelmed with such
thoughts, and tired with the pursuit, sleep came upon him, and he
lay down under a tree, where he passed the night.
He awoke the next morning before the bird had left the tree; and as
soon as he saw her on the wing, followed her again that whole day,
with no better success than he had done the last, eating nothing but
herbs and fruits all the way as he went: he did the same for ten
days together, pursuing the bird, and keeping her in his eye from
morning to night, lying always under the tree where she roosted. On
the eleventh day the bird continued flying, and Camaralzaman
observing her, he came near a great city. When the bird came to the
walls, she flew over them, and the prince saw no more of her: so he
despaired of ever recovering the princess Badoura’s talisman.
Camaralzaman, whose grief was beyond expression, went into the city,
which was built on the sea side, and had a fine port; he walked up
and down the streets without knowing where he was, or where to stop:
at last he came to the port, in as great uncertainty as ever what he
should do. Walking along the river side, he perceived the gate of a
garden open, and an old gardener at work in it; the good man looking
up, saw he was a stranger and a Mussulman; so he asked him to come
in, and shut the door after him.
Camaralzaman entered, and as the gardener bade him shut the door,
demanded of the gardener why he was so cautious. Because, replied
the old man. I see you are a stranger newly arrived and a Mussulman;
and this city is inhabited for the most part by idolaters, who have
a mortal aversion to us Mussulmen, and treat those few of us that
are here with great barbarity. I suppose you did not know this; and
it is a miracle that you have escaped as you have thus far, these
idolators being very apt to fall upon the Mussulmen that are
strangers, or to draw them into a snare, unless those strangers are
instructed how to beware of them. I bless God who has brought you
into a place of safety.
Camaralzaman thanked the honest gardener for his advice, and the
security he offered him in his house; he would have said more, but
the good man interrupted him, saying, Let us leave complimenting;
you are weary, and must want to refresh yourself. Come in, and rest
yourself. He conducted him into his little hut; and after the prince
had eaten heartily of what he set before him, with a cordiality that
charmed him, he requested him to relate how he came there.
Camaralzaman complied with his request; and when he had ended his
story, without concealing any part of it, he asked him which was the
nearest way to the king his father’s territories; for it is in
vain for me to think of finding my princess where I left her, after
wandering eleven days from the spot by so extraordinary an
adventure. Ah! continued he, how do I know she is alive? and saying
thus, he burst into tears. The gardener replied, there was no
possibility of his going thither by land, the ways were so
difficult, and the journey so long: besides, there was no
accommodation for his subsistence; or, if there were, he must
necessarily pass through the countries of so many barbarous nations,
that he would never reach his father’s. It was a year’s journey
from the city where he was to any country inhabited only by
Mussulmen; that the quickest passage for him would be to go to the
isle of Ebene, whence he might easily transport himself to the isles
of the children of Khaledan; that a ship sailed from the port every
year to Ebene, and he might take that opportunity of returning to
these islands. The ship departed, said he, but a few days ago; if
you had come a little sooner, you might have taken your passage in
it. If you will wait the year round, when it makes the voyage again,
and will stay with me and accept of my house, such as it is, you
will be as welcome to it as to your own.
Prince Camaralzaman was glad he had met with such an asylum, in a
place where he had no acquaintance nor interest. He accepted the
offer, and lived with the gardener till the time came that the ship
was to sail to the isle of Ebene. He spent his time in working all
day in the garden, and all night in sighs, tears, and complaints,
thinking of his dear princess Badoura. We must leave him in this
place, to return to the princess, whom we left asleep in her tent.
The Story of the Princess Badoura, after her separation from Prince
Camaralzaman.
The princess slept a long time, and when she awoke, wondered that
Prince Camaralzaman was not with her; she called her women, and
asked them if they knew where he was. They told her they saw him
enter the tent but did not see him go out again. While they were
talking to her, she took up her girdle, found the little purse open,
and that the talisman was gone. She did not doubt but Camaralzaman
had taken it to see what it was, and that he would bring it back
with him. She waited for him impatiently till night, and could not
imagine what made him stay away from her so long.
When it was quite dark, and she could hear nothing of him, she fell
into violent grief; she cursed the talisman, and him that made it;
and, had not she been restrained by duty, would have cursed the
queen her mother, who gave her such a fatal present. She was the
more troubled, because she could not imagine how her talisman should
have caused the prince’s separation from her: she did not however
lose her judgment and came to a courageous resolution, not common
with persons of her sex.
She only and her women knew of the prince’s being gone; for his
men were reposing or asleep in their tents. The princess, fearing
they would betray her, if they had any knowledge of it, moderated
her grief, and forbid her women to say or do any thing that might
create the least suspicion. She then laid aside her habit, and put
on one of Prince Camaralzaman’s, being so like him, that next day,
when she came abroad, his men took her for him.
She commanded them to pack up their baggage and begin their march;
and when all things were ready, she ordered one of her women to go
into her litter, she herself mounting on horseback, and riding by
her side.
They travelled several months by land and sea; the princess
continuing the journey under the name of Camaralzaman. They took the
island of Ebene in their way to the isles of the children of
Khaledan. They went to the capital of the island of Ebene, where a
king reigned whose name was Armanos. The persons who first landed,
giving out that the ship carried prince Camaralzaman, who was
returning from a long voyage, and was forced in there by a storm,
the news of his arrival was presently carried to court.
King Armanos, accompanied by most of his courtiers, went immediately
to wait on the prince, and met the princess just as she was landing,
and going to the lodging that had been taken for her. He received
her as the son of a king, who was his friend, and with whom he
always kept up a good understanding: he conducted her to the palace,
where an apartment was prepared for her and all her attendants,
though she would fain have excused herself, and have lodged in a
private house. He showed her all possible honour, and entertained
her three days together with extraordinary magnificence. At the end
of this time, King Armanos, understanding that the princess, whom he
still took for Prince Camaralzaman, talked of going abroad again to
proceed on her voyage, charmed with the air and qualities of such an
accomplished prince as he took her to be, he took an opportunity
when she was alone, and spoke to her in this manner: You see,
prince, that I am old, and cannot hope to live long; and, to my
great mortification, I have not a son to whom I may leave my crown.
Heaven has only blest me with one daughter, whose beauty cannot be
better matched than with a prince of your rank and accomplishments.
Instead of going home, stay and take her from my hand, with my
crown, which I resign in your favour, and stay with us. It is time
for me to rest, after having so long borne it; and nothing could be
a greater pleasure to me in my retirement, than to see my people
ruled by so worthy a successor to my throne.
The king of the isle of Ebene’s generous offer to bestow his only
daughter in marriage, and with her his kingdom, on the princess
Badoura, who could not accept it, because she was a woman, put her
into unexpected perplexity. She thought it would not become a
princess of her rank to undeceive the king, and to own that she was
not prince Camaralzaman, but his wife, when she assured him she was
he himself, and whose part she had hitherto acted so well. She was
also afraid to refuse the honour he offered her, lest being so much
bent upon the conclusion of the marriage, his kindness might turn to
aversion and hatred, and he might attempt something even against her
life. Besides, she was not sure whether she might not find prince
Camaralzaman in the court of king Schahzaman his father.
These considerations, added to the prospect of obtaining a kingdom
for the prince her husband, in case she found him again, determined
her to accept the proposal of king Armanos, and marry his daughter:
so after having stood silent for some minutes, she with blushes,
which the king took for a sign of modesty, answered, Sir, I am
infinitely obliged to your majesty for your good opinion of me, for
the honour you do me, and the great favour you offer me, which I
cannot pretend to merit, and dare not refuse.
But, sir, continued she, I cannot accept this great alliance on any
other condition, than that your majesty will assist me with your
counsels, and that I do nothing without having first your
approbation.
The marriage treaty being thus concluded and agreed on, the ceremony
was put off till next day. In the mean time princess Badoura gave
notice to her officers, who still took her for prince Camaralzaman,
what she was about to do, that they might not be surprised at it,
assuring them the princess Badoura consented to it. She talked also
to her women, and charged them to continue to keep the secret she
had entrusted them with.
The king of the isle of Ebene, rejoicing that he had got a
son-in-law so much to his satisfaction, next morning summoned his
council, and acquainted them with his design of marrying his
daughter to prince Camaralzaman, whom he introduced to them; and
having made him sit down by him, told them he resigned the crown to
him, and required them to acknowledge him for king, and swear fealty
to him. Having said this, he descended from his throne, and the
princess Badoura, by his order, ascended it. As soon as the council
broke up, the new king was proclaimed through the city, rejoicings
were appointed for several days, and couriers despatched over all
the kingdom to see the same ceremonies observed with the same
demonstrations of joy.
At night there were extraordinary feastings at the palace, and the
princess Haiatalnefous [86] was led to the princess Badoura, whom
every body took for a man, dressed like a royal bride. The wedding
was solemnized with the utmost splendour; they were put to bed, and
left alone. In the morning, while the princess Badoura went to
receive the compliments of the nobility in the hall of audience,
where they congratulated her on her marriage and accession to the
throne, king Armanos and his queen went to the apartment of the new
queen, their daughter, and asked her how she spent the night.
Instead of answering them, she held down her head, and by her looks
they saw plainly enough she was disappointed.
King Armanos, to comfort the princess. Haiatalnefous, bid her not be
troubled. Prince Camaralzaman, said he, when he landed here, might
think only of going to his father’s court. Though we have engaged
him to stay by arguments with which he ought to be well satisfied,
yet it is probable he grieves at being so suddenly deprived of the
hopes of seeing either his father or any of his family. You must
wait till those first emotions of filial love are over; he will then
carry himself towards you as a good husband ought to do.
The princess Badoura, under the name and character of prince
Camaralzaman, and the king of Ebene, spent the whole day in
receiving the compliments of the courtiers and the nobility of the
kingdom who were in and about the city, and in reviewing the regular
troops of her household; and entered on the administration of
affairs as king with so much dignity and judgment, as gained her the
general applause of all who were witnesses of her conduct.
It was evening before she returned to queen Haiatalnefous’
apartment, and she perceived by the reception she gave her, that the
bride was not at all pleased with the preceding night. She
endeavoured to dissipate her grief by a long conversation, in which
she employed all the wit she had (and she possessed a good share of
it) to persuade her she loved her entirely: she then gave her time
to go to bed, and while she was undressing herself, she went to her
devotions: her prayers were so long that queen Haiatalnefous was
asleep before they were ended. She then left off, and lay down
softly by the new queen, without waking her, and was as much
afflicted at her being forced to act a part which did not belong to
her, as in the loss of her dear Camaralzaman, for whom she ceased
not to sigh. She rose as soon as it was day, before Haiatalnefous
was awake; and being dressed in her royal robes as king, went to
council.
King Armanos, as he had done the day before, came early to visit the
queen his daughter, whom he found in tears: he wanted no more to be
informed of the cause of her trouble. Provoked at the contempt, as
he thought, put upon his daughter, of which he could not imagine the
reason, Daughter, said he, have patience for another night. I raised
your husband to the throne, and can pull him down again, and drive
him thence with shame, unless he gives you the satisfaction that he
ought to do. His usage of you has provoked me so much, I cannot tell
to what my resentment may transport me; the affront is as great to
me as to you.
It was late again before the princess Badoura came to queen
Haiatalnefous: she talked to her as she had done the night before,
and after the same manner went to her devotions, desiring the queen
to go to bed. But Haiatalnefous would not be so served; she held her
back, and obliged her to sit down again: What, said she, you think
to deal by me this night as you have done the two last: tell me, I
beseech you, what can you dislike in a princess of my youth and
beauty, who not only loves but adores you, and thinks herself the
happiest of all princesses of her rank in having so amiable a prince
for her husband? Any body but me would be not merely offended, but
shocked by the slight, or rather the unpardonable affront you have
put upon me, and abandon you to your evil destiny. However, though I
did not love you so well as I do, yet out of pure good-nature and
humanity, which makes me pity the misfortunes of persons for whom I
am less concerned, I could not forbear telling you, that the king my
father is enraged against you for your carriage towards me, and
to-morrow will make you feel the marks of his just anger, if you
continue to use me as you have hitherto done. Do not therefore drive
to despair a princess, who, notwithstanding all your ill usage,
cannot help loving you.
This discourse embarrassed the princess Badoura inexpressibly. She
did not doubt of the truth of what Haiatalnefous had said. King
Armanos’ coldness to her the day before had given her but too much
reason to see he was highly dissatisfied with her. The only way to
justify her conduct was, to communicate her sex to the princess
Haiatalnefous. But though she had foreseen she should be under a
necessity of making such a declaration to her, she was afraid how
she would take it: but, considering that if Camaralzaman was alive,
he must necessarily touch at the isle of Ebene in his way to king
Schahzaman his father’s kingdom, that she ought to preserve
herself for his sake; and that it was impossible to do this, if she
did not let the princess Haiatalnefous know who and what she was,
she resolved to venture the experiment.
The princess Badoura stood as one that was struck dumb, and
Haiatalnefous, being impatient to hear what she could say, was about
to speak to her again, when she stopped her by these words: Lovely
and too charming princess! I own I have been in the wrong, and I
condemn myself for it; but I hope you will pardon me, and keep the
secret I am going to reveal to you for my justification.
She then opened her bosom, and proceeded thus: See, princess, if a
princess, a woman like yourself, does not deserve to be forgiven. I
believe you will be so good, at least when you know my story, and
the afflicting disaster that forced me to act the part you see.
The princess Badoura having discovered herself entirely to the
princess of the isle of Ebene, she again prayed her to keep the
secret, and to make as if she really was a husband to her, till the
prince Camaralzaman’s arrival, which she hoped would be in a
little time.
Princess, replied Haiatalnefous, your fortune is indeed strange,
that a marriage, so happy as yours was, should be shortened by so
unaccountable an accident, after a passion so reciprocal and full of
wonders. Pray Heaven you may meet with your husband again soon, and
assure yourself I will keep religiously the secret committed to me.
It will be to me the greatest pleasure in the world to be the only
person in the great kingdom of the isle of Ebene, who knows what and
who you are, while you go on governing the people as happily as you
have begun. I only ask of you at present to be your friend. Then the
two princesses tenderly embraced each other, and after a thousand
expressions of mutual friendship, lay down to rest.
According to the custom of the country, the tokens of the
consummation of the marriage were to be produced and seen publicly.
The two princesses found out a way to get over that difficulty:
Queen Haiatalnefous’ women were deceived themselves next morning,
and deceived king Armanos, his queen, and the whole court. From this
time princess Badoura rose in king Armanos’ esteem and affection,
governing the kingdom peaceably and prosperously to his and his
people’s content.
While things passed as already mentioned in the court of the isle of
Ebene, prince Camaralzaman staid in the city of idolaters with the
gardener, who had offered his house for a retreat till the ship
sailed for that island.
One morning when the prince was up early, and as he used to do, was
preparing to work in the garden, the gardener prevented him, saying,
This day is a great festival among the idolaters, and because they
abstain from all work themselves, to spend the time in their
assemblies and public rejoicings, they will not let the Mussulmen
work, who to gain their favour, generally assist at their shows,
which are worth seeing. You will therefore have nothing to do
to-day; I leave you here. As the time approaches, in which the ship
uses to sail for the isle of Ebene, I will go to see some of my
friends, and know when it will depart and secure you a passage in
it. The gardener put on his best clothes, and went out.
When prince Camaralzaman was alone, instead of going out to take
part in the public joy of the city, the solitude he was in brought
to his mind, with more than usual violence, the loss of his dear
princess. He walked up and down the garden sighing and groaning,
till the noise which two birds made on a neighbouring tree tempted
him to lift up his head, and stop to see what was the matter.
Camaralzaman was surprised to behold a furious battle between these
two birds, fighting one another with their beaks, and that in a very
little while one of them fell down dead at the foot of a tree; the
bird that was victorious took wing again, and flew away.
In an instant, two other large birds that had seen the fight at a
distance, came from the other side of the garden, and pitched on the
ground, one at the feet and the other at the head of the dead bird;
they looked upon it some time, shaking their heads in token of
grief; after which they dug a grave with their talons and buried it.
When they had filled up the grave with the earth they had turned up
to make it, they flew away, and returned in a few minutes, bringing
with them the bird that had committed the murder, the one holding
one of its wings in its beak, and the other one of its legs; the
criminal all the while crying out in a doleful manner, and
struggling to escape. They carried it to the grave of the bird which
it had lately sacrificed to its rage, and there sacrificed it in
just revenge for the murder it had committed. They with their beaks
killed the murderer. They then opened the belly, tore out the
entrails, left the body on the spot unburied, and flew away.
Camaralzaman remained in great astonishment all the time that he
stood beholding this sight. He drew near the tree where this scene
had passed, and casting his eyes on the scattered entrails of the
bird that was last killed, he spied something red hanging out of the
stomach. He took it up, and found it was his beloved princess
Badoura’s talisman, which had cost him so much pain and sorrow,
and so many sighs since the bird snatched it out of his hand. Ah,
cruel, said he to himself, still looking on the bird, thou tookest
delight in doing mischief, so I have the less reason to complain of
that which thou didst to me; but the greater it was, the more do I
wish well to those that revenged my quarrel on thee, in punishing
thee for the murder of one of their own kind.
It is impossible to express prince Camaralzaman’s joy: Dear
princess, continued he to himself, this happy minute, which restores
to me a treasure so precious to thee, is without doubt a presage of
our meeting again, and perhaps sooner than I think of. Thank Heaven,
who sent me this good fortune, and gives me the hope of the greatest
felicity that my heart can desire.
Saying this, he kissed the talisman, wrapped it up in a riband, and
tied it carefully about his arm. Till now he had been almost every
night a stranger to rest, his trouble always keeping him awake, but
next night he slept soundly; he rose somewhat later the next morning
than he used to do, put on his working clothes, and went to the
gardener for orders. The good man bid him root up an old tree which
bore no fruit.
Camaralzaman took an axe, and began his work. In cutting off a
branch of the root, he found his axe struck against something that
resisted the blow, and made a great noise. He removed the earth, and
discovered a broad plate of brass, under which was a staircase of
ten steps. He went down, and at the bottom saw a cavity about six
yards square, with fifty brass urns placed in order around it, each
with a cover over it. He opened them all, one after another, and
there was not one of them which was not full of gold dust. He came
out of the cave rejoicing that he had found such a vast treasure: he
put the brass plate on the staircase, and rooted up the tree against
the gardener’s return.
The gardener had learned the day before that the ship which was
bound for the isle of Ebene, would sail in a few days, but the
certain time was not yet fixed. His friend promised to let him know
the day, if he called upon him on the morrow; and while Camaralzaman
was rooting up the tree, he went to have his answer. He returned
with a joyful countenance, by which the prince guessed he brought
him good news. Son, said the old man, (so he always called him, on
account of the difference of years between him and the prince,) be
joyful, and prepare to embark in three days; the ship will then
certainly set sail; I have agreed with the captain for your passage.
In my present situation, replied Camaralzaman, you could not bring
me more agreeable news; and in return, I have also tidings that will
be as welcome to you; come along with me, and you shall see what
good fortune heaven has in store for you.
The prince led the gardener to the place where he had rooted up the
tree, made him go down into the cave, and when he was there, showed
him what a treasure he had discovered, thanking Providence for
rewarding his virtue, and the pains he had been at for so many
years. What do you mean? replied the gardener: do you imagine I will
take these riches as mine? The property of them is yours. I have no
right to them. --For fourscore years since my father’s death, I
have done nothing but dig in this garden, and could not discover
this treasure, which is a sign it was destined for you, since God
has permitted you to find it. It suits a prince like you rather than
me; I have one foot in the grave, and am in no want of any thing.
Providence has bestowed it upon you just when you are returning to
that country, which will one day be your own, where you will make a
good use of it.
Prince Camaralzaman would not be outdone in generosity by the
gardener; they had a long dispute about it. At last, the prince
solemnly protested, that he would have none of it, unless the
gardener would divide it with him, and take half. The good man, to
please the prince, consented; so they parted it between them, and
each had twenty-five urns.
Having thus divided it, Son, said the gardener to the prince, it is
not enough that you have got this treasure: we must now contrive how
to carry it so privately aboard a ship, that nobody may know any
thing of the matter, otherwise you will run the risk of losing it.
There are no olives in the isle of Ebene; those that are exported
hence are a good commodity there: you know I have plenty of them;
take what you will; fill fifty pots, half with the gold dust, and
half with olives, and I will get them carried to the ship when you
embark.
Camaralzaman followed this good advice, and spent the rest of the
day in packing up the gold and the olives in the fifty pots; [87]
and fearing the talisman, which he wore on his arm, might be lost
again, he carefully put it in one of the pots, marking it with a
particular mark, to distinguish it from the other. When they were
all ready to be shipped, night coming on, the prince retired with
the gardener, and talking together, he related to him the battle of
the birds, with the circumstance of that adventure, by which he had
found the princess Badoura’s talisman again. The gardener was
equally surprised and joyful to hear it, for his sake. Whether the
old man was quite worn out with age, or had exhausted himself too
much that day, the gardener had a very bad night. He grew worse the
next day; and on the third day, when the prince was to embark, was
so ill, that it wan plain he was nigh his end. As soon as day broke,
the captain of the ship came in person, with several seamen, to the
gardener’s; they knocked at the garden-door, and Camaralzaman
opened it to them. They asked him where the passenger was that was
to go with him. --The prince answered, I am he; the gardener, who
agreed with you for my passage is sick, and cannot be spoken with.
Come in, and let your men carry those pots of olives and my baggage
aboard for me; I will only take leave of the gardener, and follow
you.
The seamen took up the pots and the baggage, and the captain bid the
prince make haste, the wind being fair, and they staid for nothing
but him.
When the captain and his men were gone, Camaralzaman went to the
gardener to take his leave of him, and thank him for all his good
offices; but he found him in the agonies of death, and had scarce
time to bid him rehearse the articles of his faith, which all good
Mussulmen do before they die. --The gardener did this, and expired
in his presence.
The prince being under the necessity of embarking immediately,
hastened to pay the last duty to the deceased. He washed his body,
buried him in his own garden, (for the Mahometans had no cemetry in
the city of the idolaters, where they were only tolerated), and,
having nobody to assist him, it was almost evening before he had put
him in the ground. As soon as he had done it, he ran to the
water-side, carrying with him the key of the garden, designing, if
he had time, to give it to the landlord; otherwise to deposit it in
some trusty person’s hand before witnesses, that he might have it
after he was gone. When he came to the port, he was told the ship
sailed several hours before he came, and was already out of sight.
It staid three hours for him, and the wind standing fair, the
captain durst not stay longer.
It is easy to imagine that prince Camaralzaman was exceedingly
grieved to be forced to stay longer in a country where he neither
had nor wished to have any acquaintance; and to think that he must
wait another twelvemonth for the opportunity he had lost. But the
greatest affliction of all was, his having let go the princess
Badoura’s talisman, which he now gave over for lost. The only
course that was left for him to take was, to return to the garden
from whence he came, to rent it of the landlord, and to continue to
cultivate it by himself, deploring his misery and misfortunes. He
hired a boy to help him to do some part of the drudgery, that he
might not lose the other half of the treasure, which came to him by
the death of the gardener, who died without heirs: he put the
gold-dust in fifty other pots, which he filled up with olives, to be
ready against the time of the ship’s return.
While prince Camaralzaman began another year of labour, sorrow, and
impatience, the ship, having a fair wind, continued her voyage to
the isle of Ebene, and happily arrived at the capital city.
The palace being by the sea-side, the new king, or rather the
princess Badoura, espying the ship as she was entering into the
port, with all her flags, asked what vessel it was; she was
answered, that it came annually from the city of the idolaters, and
generally was richly laden.
The princess, who always had prince Camaralzaman in her mind amidst
the glories which surrounded her, imagined that the prince might be
aboard, and resolved to go aboard the ship and meet him, without
discovering herself to him, (for she doubted whether he would know
her again), but to observe him, and take proper measures for their
making themselves mutually known. Under pretence of inquiring what
merchandize was aboard, and having the first sight of the goods, and
choosing the most valuable for herself, she commanded a horse to be
brought, which she mounted, and rode to the port, accompanied by
several officers in waiting at that time, and arrived at the port
just as the captain came ashore. She ordered him to be brought
before her, and asked whence he came, how long he had been on his
voyage, and what good or bad fortune he had met with in it; if he
had no stranger of quality aboard, and particularly with what his
ship was laden.
The captain gave a satisfactory answer to all her demands; and as to
passengers, assured her there were none but merchants in his ship,
who used to come every year, and bring rich stuffs from several
parts of the world to trade with, the finest linens, painted and
plain, diamonds, musk, ambergris, camphire, civet, spices, drugs,
olives, and many other articles.
The princess Badoura loved olives extremely. When she heard the
captain speak of them, Land them, said she; I will take them off
your hands. As to the other goods, tell the merchants to bring them
to me, and let me see them before they dispose of them, or show them
to any one.
The captain, taking her for the king of the isle of Ebene, replied,
Sire, there are fifty great pots of olives, but they belong to a
merchant whom I was forced to leave behind. I gave him notice myself
that I staid for him, and waited a long time, but he not coming, and
the wind offering, I was afraid of losing it, and so set sail. The
princess answered, No matter; bring them ashore; we will make a
bargain for them however.
The captain sent his boat aboard, and in a little time it returned
with the pots of olives. The princess demanded how much the fifty
pots might be worth in the isle of Ebene. Sir, said the captain, the
merchant is very poor, and your majesty will do him a singular
favour if you give him a thousand pieces of silver.
To satisfy him, replied the princess, and because you tell me he is
poor, I will order you a thousand pieces of gold for him, which do
you take care to give him. The money was accordingly paid, and the
pots carried to the palace in her presence.
Night drawing on, the princess withdrew into the inner palace, and
went to the princess Haiatalnefous’ apartment, ordering the fifty
pots of olives to be brought thither. --She opened one to let the
princess Haiatalnefous taste them, and to taste them herself, and
poured them into a dish. Great was her astonishment when she found
the olives were mingled with gold-dust. What can this mean? said
she; it is wonderful beyond comprehension. Her curiosity increasing
by so extraordinary an adventure, she ordered Haiatalnefous’ women
to open and empty all the pots in her presence; and her wonder was
still greater, when she saw that the olives in all of them were
mixed with gold-dust; but when she saw her talisman drop out of that
in which the prince had put it, she was so surprised, that she
fainted away. The princess Haiatalnefous and her women recovered the
princess Badoura, by throwing cold water in her face. When she
recovered her senses, she took the talisman, and kissed it again and
again; but not being willing that the princess Haiatalnefous’
women, who were ignorant of her disguise, should hear what she said,
and it growing late, she dismissed them. Princess, said she to
Haiatalnefous, as soon as they were gone, you, who have heard my
story, to be sure guessed it was at the sight of the talisman that I
fainted. This is that talisman, and the fatal cause of my losing my
dear husband, prince Camaralzaman; but as it was that which caused
our separation, so I foresee it will be the means of our approaching
meeting.
The next day, as soon as it was light, she sent for the captain of
the ship; and when he came, spoke to him thus: I want to know
something more of the merchant to whom the olives belong, that I
bought of you yesterday. I think you told me you left him behind you
in the city of idolaters: can you tell me what he does there.
Yes, sire, replied the captain, I can speak on my own knowledge. I
agreed for his passage with a very old gardener, who told me I
should find him in his garden, where he worked under him. He showed
me the place, and for that reason I told your majesty he was poor. I
went thither to call him. I told him what haste I was in, spoke to
him myself in the garden, and cannot be mistaken in the man.
If what you say is true, replied the princess Badoura, you must set
sail this very day for the city of idolaters, and fetch me that
gardener’s man, who is my debtor; else I will not only confiscate
all your goods and those of your merchants, but your and their lives
shall answer for his. I have ordered my seal to be put on the
warehouses where they are, which shall not be taken off till you
bring me that man: this is all I have to say to you; go, and do as I
command you.
The captain could make no reply to this order, the disobeying of
which would be a very great loss to him and his merchants. He
acquainted them with it; and they hastened him away as fast as they
could, after he had laid in a stock of provisions and fresh water
for his voyage. They were so diligent, that he set sail the same
day. He had a prosperous voyage to the city of the idolaters, where
he arrived in the night. When he was got as near the city as he
thought convenient, he would not cast anchor, but let the ship ride
off shore; and going into his boat, with six of his stoutest seamen,
he landed a little way off the port, whence he went directly to
Camaralzaman’s garden.
Though it was about midnight when he came there, the prince was not
asleep. His separation from the fair princess of China, his wife,
afflicted him as usual. He cursed the minute in which his curiosity
tempted him to touch the fatal girdle.
Thus did he pass those hours which are devoted to rest, when he
heard somebody knock at the garden-door; he ran hastily to it, half
dressed as he was; but he had no sooner opened it, than the captain
and the seamen took hold of him, and carried him by force on board
the boat, and so on ship-board, where as soon as he was safely
lodged, they set sail immediately, and made the best of their way to
the isle of Ebene.
Hitherto Camaralzaman, the captain, and his men, had not said a word
to one another; at last the prince broke silence, and asked the
captain, whom he knew again, why they had taken him away by force?
The captain, in his turn, demanded of the prince, whether he was not
a debtor of the king of Ebene? I the king of Ebene’s debtor!
replied Camaralzaman in amazement; I do not know him; I had never
any thing to do with him in my life, and never set foot in his
kingdom. The captain answered, You should know that better than I:
you will talk to him yourself in a little while; till then, stay
here, and have patience.
The captain was not long on his voyage back to the isle of Ebene.
Though it was night when he cast anchor in the port, he landed
immediately, and taking prince Camaralzaman with him, hastened to
the palace, where he demanded to be introduced to the king.
The princess Badoura was withdrawn into the inner palace: however,
as soon as she had heard of the captain’s return, and
Camaralzaman’s arrival, she came out to speak to him. As soon as
she cast her eyes on the prince, for whom she had shed so many
tears, she knew him in his gardener’s habit. As for the prince,
who trembled in the presence of a king, as he thought her, to whom
he was to answer for an imaginary debt, it could not enter into his
thoughts, that the person whom he so earnestly desired to see, stood
before him. If the princess had followed the dictates of her
inclination, she would have run to him, and by embracing, discovered
herself to him: but she put a constraint on herself, believing that
it was for the interest of both that she should act the part of a
king a little longer before she made herself known. She contented
herself for the present to put him into the hands of an officer, who
was then in waiting, charging him to take care of him, and use him
well till next day.
When the princess Badoura had provided for prince Camaralzaman, she
turned about to the captain, whom she was now to reward for the
important service he had done her. She commanded another officer to
go immediately, and take the seal off the warehouse, where his and
his merchants’ goods were, and gave him a rich diamond, worth much
more than the expense he had been at in both his voyages. She
besides bid him keep the thousand pieces of gold she had given him
for the pots of olives, telling him she would make up the account
with the merchant whom he had brought with him. This done, she
retired to the princess of the isle of Ebene’s apartment, to whom
she communicated her joy, praying her to keep the secret still. She
told her how she intended to manage the discovering of herself to
prince Camaralzaman, and giving the kingdom to him; adding, there
was so vast a difference between a gardener and a great prince, as
he is, that it maybe dangerous to raise him at once from the lowest
condition of the people to the highest degree, however justice
required it should be done. The princess of the isle of Ebene was so
far from betraying her, that she rejoiced with her, and entered into
the design, assuring her, she would with the greatest pleasure
contribute to it all that lay in her power, and that she had only to
say what she would desire of her.
The next morning, the princess of China ordered prince Camaralzaman
to be conducted early to the bath, and then apparelled in the robes
of an emir or governor of a province. She commanded him to be
introduced into the council, where his fine person and majestic air
drew all the eyes of the lords there present upon him.
The princess Badoura herself was charmed to see him again, as lovely
as she had often seen him, and that pleasure inspired her to speak
the more warmly in his praise. --When she addressed herself to the
council, having ordered the prince to take his seat among the emirs,
she spoke to them thus: My lords, Camaralzaman, whom I have advanced
to the same dignity with you, is not unworthy the place assigned
him. I have known enough of him in my travels to answer for him, and
I can assure you he will make his merit known to all of you, as well
by his valour, as by a thousand other brilliant qualities, and the
extent of his genius.
Camaralzaman was extremely amazed to hear the king of the isle of
Ebene, whom he was far from taking for a woman, much less for his
dear princess, name him, and declare that he knew him, while he
thought himself certain he had never seen him before in his life. He
was much more surprised when he heard him praise him so excessively.
Those praises, however, from the mouth of majesty, did not
disconcert him, though he received them with such modesty as showed
that he deserved them, and did not grow vain upon it. He prostrated
himself before the throne of the king, and rising again, Sire, said
he, I want words to express my gratitude to your majesty for the
honour you have done me: I shall do all in my power to render myself
worthy of your royal favour.
From the council board, the prince was conducted to a palace, which
the princess Badoura had ordered to be fitted up for him; where he
found officers and domestics ready to obey his commands, a stable
full of fine horses, and every thing suitable to the quality of an
emir. When he was in his closet, the steward of his household
brought him a strong box full of gold for his expenses.
The less he conceived whence came his great good fortune, the more
he admired it, but never once imagined that he owed it to the
princess of China.
Two or three days after, the princess Badoura, that he might be
nearer her person, and in a more distinguished post, made him high
treasurer, which office became lately vacant. He behaved himself in
his new charge with so much integrity, yet obliging every body, that
he not only gained the friendship of the great, but also the
affections of the people, by his uprightness and bounty.
Camaralzaman had been the happiest man in the world, to see himself
in so high favour with a foreign king as he conceived, and
increasing in the esteem of all his subjects, if he had had his
princess with him. --In the midst of this good fortune he never
ceased lamenting her, and grieved that he could hear no tidings of
her, especially in a country where she must necessarily have come in
her way to his father’s court, after their separation, so
afflicting to both. He had mistrusted something, had the princess
Badoura still gone by the name of Camaralzaman, which she took with
his habit; but on her accession to the throne, she changed it, and
took that of Armanos, in honour of the old king, her father-in-law.
She was known now only by the name of the young king Armanos. There
were very few courtiers who knew that she had ever been called
Camaralzaman, which name she assumed when she arrived at the court
of the isle of Ebene: nor had Camaralzaman so much acquaintance with
any of them yet, to inform himself farther of her history.
The princess, fearing he might do it in time, and desiring that he
should owe the discovery of herself to herself only, resolved to put
an end to her own torments and his; for she had observed, that as
often as she discoursed with him about the affairs of his office, he
fetched such deep sighs as could be addressed to nobody but her. She
herself lived in such a constraint that she could endure it no
longer. Add to this, the friendship of the emirs and courtiers, the
zeal and affection of the people; in a word, every thing contributed
to her putting the crown of the isle of Ebene on his head, without
any obstacle.
The princess Badoura had no sooner taken this resolution with the
princess Haiatalnefous, than she the same day took prince
Camaralzaman aside, saying, I must talk with you about an affair,
Camaralzaman, which requires much consideration, and on which I want
your advice. As I do not see how it can be done so conveniently as
in the night, come hither in the evening, and leave word at home not
to be waited for; I will take care to provide you a bed.
Camaralzaman came punctually to the palace at the hour appointed by
the princess; she took him with her into the inner apartment, and
having told the chief eunuch, who prepared to follow her, she had no
occasion for his service, and that he should only keep the door
shut, she carried him into a different apartment from that of the
princess Haiatalnefous, where she used to sleep.
When the prince and princess entered the chamber, where there was a
bed, she shut the door, and taking the talisman out of a little box,
gave it to Camaralzaman, saying, It is not long since an astrologer
presented me with this talisman; you being skilful in all things,
may perhaps tell me its use.
Camaralzaman took the talisman, and drew near a lamp to view it. As
soon as he recollected it, with an astonishment which gave the
princess great pleasure, Sire, said he to the prince, your majesty
asked me what this talisman is good for. Alas! it is only good to
kill me with grief and despair, if I do not quickly find the most
charming and lovely princess in the world, to whom it belonged; the
loss of it was the occasion to me of a strange adventure, the very
recital of which will move your majesty to pity such an unfortunate
husband and lover, if you will have patience to hear it.
You shall tell me that another time, replied the princess; I am very
glad to tell you I know something of it already; stay here a little,
and I will return to you in a moment.
At these words, she went into her closet, put off her royal turban,
and in a few minutes dressed herself like a woman: and having the
girdle round her which she had on the day of their separation, she
entered the chamber.
Prince Camaralzaman immediately knew his dear princess, ran to her,
and tenderly embraced her, crying out, How much I am obliged to the
king who has so agreeably surprised me! Do not expect to see the
king any more, replied the princess, embracing him in her turn, with
tears in her eyes; you see him in me; sit down, and I will explain
this enigma to you.
They sat down, and the princess told the prince the resolution she
came to, in the field where they encamped the last time they were
together, as soon as she perceived she waited for him to no purpose;
how she went through with it, till she arrived at the isle of Ebene,
where she had been obliged to marry the princess Haiatalnefous, and
accept of the crown which king Armanos offered her as a condition of
the marriage: how the princess, whose merit she highly extolled,
took her declaration of her sex; and how she found the talisman in
the pots of olives mingled with the gold-dust, which she bought, and
how the finding it was the cause of her sending for him from the
city of the idolaters.
When she had done telling her adventure, she obliged the prince to
tell her by what accident the talisman occasioned their separation.
He satisfied her inquiries; and when he had done, he upbraided her
in the kindest expressions for her cruelty in making him languish so
long without her; she excused herself with the reasons already
related, after which, it growing late, they went to bed.
The princess Badoura and prince Camaralzaman rose next morning as
soon as it was light, but the princess would no more put on her
royal robes as king; she dressed herself in the dress of a woman,
and then sent the chief eunuch to king Armanos, her father-in-law,
to desire he would give himself the trouble to come to her apartment.
When the king entered the chamber, he was amazed to see there a lady
that was unknown to him, and the high treasurer with her, who was
not permitted to come within the inner palace, nor any of the lords
of the court. He sat down, and asked where the king was.
The princess answered, Yesterday I was king, sir, and to-day I am
only princess of China, wife to the true prince Camaralzaman, the
true son of king Schahzaman. If your majesty will have patience to
hear both our stories, I hope you will not condemn me for putting an
innocent deceit upon you. The king bid her go on, and heard her
discourse from the beginning to the end with astonishment. The
princess finishing it, said to him, Sir, though in our religion
women do not easily comply with the liberty assumed by men to have
several wives; yet if your majesty will consent to give your
daughter the princess Haiatalnefous in marriage to prince
Camaralzaman, I will with all my heart yield up to her the rank and
quality of queen, which of right belongs to her, and content myself
with the second place. If this precedence was not her due, I would,
however, give it her, after the obligation I have to her for keeping
my secret so generously. If your majesty refers it to her consent, I
am sure of that, having already consulted her; and I will pass my
word that she will be very well satisfied.
King Armanos listened to the princess with astonishment, and when
she had done, turned about to prince Camaralzaman, saying, Since the
princess Badoura, your wife, whom I have all along thought to be my
son-in-law, through a deceit of which I cannot complain, assures me,
that she will divide your bed with my daughter, I have nothing more
to do, but to know of you if you are willing to marry her, and
accept of the crown, which the princess Badoura would deservedly
wear as long as she lived, if she did not quit it out of love to
you. Sir, replied prince Camaralzaman, though I desire nothing so
earnestly as to see the king my father, yet the obligations I have
to your majesty and the princess Haiatalnefous are so weighty, I can
refuse her nothing. Camaralzaman was proclaimed king, and married
the same day with all possible demonstrations of joy; and had every
reason to be well pleased with the princess Haiatalnefous’ beauty,
wit, and love for him.
The two queens lived together afterwards on the same friendly terms,
and in the same cordiality, as they had done before, both being
contented with king Camaralzaman’s equal carriage towards them,
and they alternately were taken to his bed.
The next year each brought him a son at the same time, and the
births of the two princes were celebrated with extraordinary
rejoicings: the first, which the princess Badoura was delivered of,
king Camaralzaman called Amgiad (most glorious); and the other,
which was born of queen Haiatalnefous, Assad (most happy).
The Story of the Princes Amgiad and Assad.
The two princes were brought up with great care; and, when they were
old enough, had the same governor and the same instructors in the
arts and sciences which king Camaralzaman would have them learn, and
the same master for each exercise. The friendship which from their
infancy they conceived for each other, occasioned an uniformity of
manners and inclinations, which increased it. When they were of an
age to have separate households, they loved one another so tenderly,
that they begged king Camaralzaman to let them live together. He
consented to it. So they had the same domestics, the same equipages,
the same apartment, and the same table. Camaralzaman had formed so
good an opinion of their capacity and integrity, that he made no
scruple of admitting them into his council at eighteen years old,
and letting them, by turns, preside there, while he himself took the
diversion of hunting, or amused himself with his queens at his
houses of pleasure.
The two princes being equally handsome and well made from their
infancy, the two queens loved them with incredible tenderness, yet
so that the princess Badoura had a greater kindness for prince
Assad, queen Haiatalnefous’ son, than for her own; and queen
Haiatalnefous loved Amgiad, the princess Badoura’s son, better
than her own son Assad.
The two queens thought at first this inclination was nothing but a
friendship which proceeded from an excess of their own friendship
for each other, which they still preserved: but as the two princes
advanced in years, that friendship turned to a violent love, when
they appeared in their eyes to possess graces that blinded their
reason. They knew how criminal their passion was, and did all they
could to resist it; but the familiar intercourse with them, and the
habit of admiring, praising and caressing them from their infancy,
which they could not leave off when they grew up, inflamed their
desires to such a height, that they could neither eat, drink, or
sleep. It was their and the princes’ ill fortune, that the latter,
being used to be so treated by them, had not the least suspicion of
their infamous passion.
The two queens had not concealed from each other this passion, but
had not the boldness to declare it verbally to each of the princes
she loved: they at last resolved to do it by a billet, and availed
themselves of king Camaralzaman’s absence to execute their wicked
design, when he was gone on a hunting party for three or four days.
Prince Amgiad presided at the council on the day of king
Camaralzaman’s departure, and administered justice till two or
three o’clock in the afternoon; when he returned to the palace
from the council chamber, an eunuch took him aside, and gave him a
billet from queen Haiatalnefous: Amgiad took it, and read it with
horror. Traitor, said he to the eunuch, as soon as he had read it
through, is this the fidelity thou owest thy master and thy king? At
these words he drew his sabre, and cut off his head.
Having done this in a transport of anger, he ran to the princess
Badoura his mother, showed her the billet, told her the contents of
it, and from whom it came. Instead of hearkening to him, she fell
into a passion herself, and said, Son, it is all a calumny and
imposture; queen Haiatalnefous is a very discreet princess, and you
are very bold to talk to me against her after this rate. The prince,
enraged at his mother, cried, You are both equally wicked, and were
it not for the respect I owe my father, this day should have been
the last of Haiatalnefous’ life.
Queen Badoura might have imagined by the example of her son Amgiad,
that prince Assad, who was not less virtuous, would not receive more
favourably a declaration of love like that which had been made to
his brother. Yet that did not hinder her persisting in so abominable
a design; she the next day wrote him a billet, which she trusted to
an old woman who had access to the palace, to convey to him.
The old woman watched her opportunity to give it him as he was
coming from the council-chamber, where he presided that day in his
turn; the prince took it, and reading it, fell into such a rage,
that, without giving himself time to finish it, he drew his sabre,
and punished the old woman as she deserved. He ran presently to his
mother queen Haiatalnefous’ apartment with the billet in his hand;
he would have shown it to her, but she did not give him time, crying
out, I know what you mean; you are as impertinent as your brother
Amgiad; begone! and never come into my presence again.
Assad stood as one thunderstruck at these words, which he never
expected. He was so transported with rage, that he had like to have
given very fatal demonstrations of his anger; but he contained
himself, and withdrew without making any reply, fearing, if he
staid, he might say something unworthy the greatness of his soul.
Amgiad had not mentioned to him the billet which he received the
preceding day, and finding by what his mother had said to him that
she was altogether as criminal as queen Haiatalnefous, he went to
his brother, to chide him for not communicating the hated secret to
him, and to mingle his sorrow with his.
The two queens, rendered desperate by finding in the two princes so
much virtue, which should have had an influence on them, renounced
all sentiments of nature and mothers, and conspired together to
destroy them: they made their women believe the two princes had
attempted their virtue: they counterfeited the matter to the life by
their tears, cries, and curses; and lay in the same bed, as if the
resistance they pretended to have made had reduced them almost to
death’s door.
When Camaralzaman returned to the palace from hunting, he was very
much surprised to find them in bed together, all in tears, acting
despondency so well, that he was touched with compassion. He asked
them with earnestness what had happened to them.
At this question the dissembling queens wept and gobbed more
bitterly than before; and after he had pressed them again and again
to tell him, queen Badoura, at last answered him: Sir, our grief is
so well founded, that we ought not to see the light of the sun, nor
live a day, after the violence that has been offered us by the
unparalleled brutality of the princes your sons. They formed a
horrid design, encouraged by your absence, and had the boldness and
insolence to attempt our honour. Your majesty will excuse us from
saying any more; you may guess the rest by our affliction.
[Illustration: PRINCE AMGIAD AND PRINCE ASSAD.]
The king sent for the two princes, and had killed them both with his
own hand, if old king Armanos, his father-in-law, who was by, had
not held his hand. Son, said he, what are you going to do? Will you
stain your hands and your palace with your own blood? There are
other ways of punishing them, if they are really guilty.
He endeavoured thus to appease him, and desired him to examine
whether they did indeed commit the crime of which they were accused.
It was no hard thing for Camaralzaman to be so much master of
himself as not to butcher his own children: he ordered them to be
put under arrest, and sent for an emir called Giondar, whom he
commanded to carry them out of the city, and put them to death, at a
great distance, and in what place he pleased, but not to see him
again, unless he brought their clothes with him, as a token of his
having executed his orders.
Giondar travelled with them all night, and early next morning made
them alight, telling them, with tears in his eyes, the commands he
had received. Believe me, princes, said he, it is a trying duty
imposed on me by your father, to execute this cruel order: would to
Heaven I could avoid it! The princes replied, Do your duty; we know
well you are not the cause of our deaths, and forgive you with all
our hearts.
Then they embraced, and bade each other the last adieu with so much
tenderness, that it was a long time before they could leave one
another’s arms. Prince Assad was the first who prepared himself
for the fatal stroke. Begin with me, Giondar, said he, that I may
not have the trouble to see my dear brother Amgiad die. Amgiad
opposed it; and Giondar could not, without weeping more than before,
be witness of this dispute between them; which showed how perfect
and sincere their friendship was.
At last they thus determined the contest, desiring Giondar to tie
them together, and put them in the most convenient posture for him
to give them the fatal stroke at one blow. Do not refuse the comfort
of dying together to two unfortunate brothers, who from their birth
have shared every thing, even their innocence, said the generous
princes.
Giondar granted their request; he tied them to each other, breast to
breast; and when he had placed them so as he thought he might strike
the blow with more surety, and cut off their heads at once, he asked
them if they had any thing to command him before they died.
We have only one thing to desire of you, replied the princes; which
is, to assure the king our father, at your return, that we are
innocent; but that we do not charge him with our deaths, knowing he
is not well informed of the truth of the crime with which we are
accused.
Giondar promised to do what they would have him, and drew his sabre:
his horse being tied to a tree just by, started at the sight of the
sabre, which glittered against the sun, broke his bridle, and ran
away with all speed into the country.
He was a very valuable good horse, and so richly harnessed, that the
emir could not bear the loss of him. This accident so troubled him,
that instead of beheading the two princes, he threw away his sabre,
and ran after his horse to catch him again.
The horse gallopped on before him, and led him several miles out of
his way into a wood. Giondar followed him, and the horse’s
neighing roused a lion that was asleep. The lion started up, and
instead of running after the horse, made directly towards Giondar,
who thought no more of his horse, but how to save his life and avoid
the lion. He ran into the thickest of the wood, the lion keeping him
in view, pursuing him among the trees. In this extremity he said to
himself, Heaven had not punished me in this manner, but to show the
innocence of the princes whom I was commanded to put to death; and
now, to my misfortune, I have not my sabre to defend myself.
While Giondar was gone, the two princes were seized with a violent
thirst, occasioned by the fear of death, notwithstanding their noble
resolution to submit to the king their father’s cruel order.
Prince Amgiad told the prince his brother there was a spring not far
off. Ah! brother, said Assad, we have so little time to live, what
need have we to quench our thirst? We can bear it a few minutes
longer.
Amgiad, taking no notice of his brother’s remonstrance, unbound
himself, and unbound the prince his brother whether he would or no.
They went to the spring, and having refreshed themselves, heard the
roaring of the lion. They also heard Giondar’s dreadful cries in
the wood, where he and the horse were. Amgiad took up Giondar’s
sabre which lay on the ground, saying to Assad, Come, brother, let
us go and help poor Giondar; perhaps we may arrive soon enough to
deliver him from the danger in which he now is.
The two princes ran to the wood, and entered it just as the lion was
going to fall on Giondar. The beast, seeing prince Amgiad, advancing
towards him with a sabre in his hand, left his prey, and came
against him with fury. The prince met him intrepidly, and gave him a
blow so forcibly and dexterously, that it felled him to the ground.
When Giondar saw that he owed his life to the two princes, he threw
himself at their feet, and thanked them, for the great obligation he
had to them, in words which sufficiently showed his gratitude.
Princes, said he, rising up and kissing their hands, with tears in
his eyes, God forbid that ever I should attempt any thing against
your lives, after you have so kindly and bravely saved mine. It
shall never be said, that the emir Giondar was guilty of such
ingratitude.
The service we have done you, answered the princes, ought not to
hinder you from executing the orders you have received; let us first
catch your horse again, and then return to the place where you left
us. They were at no great trouble to take the horse, whose mettle
was abated with running. When they had restored him to Giondar, and
were near the fountain, they begged of him, and argued with him to
do as their father had commanded him; but all to no purpose. I only
take liberty to desire you, said Giondar, and I pray you not to deny
me, that you will divide my clothes between you, and give me yours,
and go to such a distance, that the king your father may never hear
of you more.
The princes were forced to comply with his request. Each of them
gave him his clothes, and covered themselves with what he could
spare them of his. He also gave them all the money he had about him,
and took leave of them.
When the emir Giondar parted from the princes, he passed through the
wood, where Amgiad had killed the lion, in whose blood he dipped
their clothes; which having done, he proceeded on his way to the
capital city of the isle of Ebene.
At his arrival there, king Camaralzaman asked if he had done what he
ordered him. Giondar replied, See, sir, the proofs of my obedience;
giving him, at the same time, the princes’ clothes.
How did they take the punishment I commanded to be executed on them?
Giondar answered, With wonderful constancy, sir, and resignation to
the decrees of Heaven; which showed how sincerely they made
profession of their religion: but particularly with great respect
towards your majesty, and an inconceivable submission to the
sentence of death. We die innocent, said they; but we do not murmur;
we take our death from the hand of Heaven, and forgive our father;
for we know very well he has not been rightly informed of the truth.
Camaralzaman, sensibly touched at emir Giondar’s relation,
bethought himself of putting his hand in their pockets: he began
with prince Amgiad’s, where he found a billet open, which he read.
He no sooner knew that queen Haiatalnefous writ it, as well by a
lock of her hair which was in it, and by the hand-writing, but he
was chilled with horror. He then trembling put his hand into that of
Assad; and finding there queen Badoura’s billet, his surprise was
so great and sudden, that he fainted.
Never was grief equal to Camaralzaman’s, when he was recovered
from his fit. Barbarous father, cried he, what hast thou done? Thou
hast murdered thy own children, thy innocent children! Did not their
wisdom, their modesty, their obedience, their submission to thy will
in all things, their virtue, all plead in their behalf? Blind and
insensible father! dost thou deserve to live after the execrable
crime thou hast committed? I have brought this abomination on my own
head; and Heaven chastises me for not persevering in that aversion
to women in which I was born. And oh, ye detestable wives! I will
not, no I will not, as ye deserve, wash off the guilt of your sins
with your blood; ye are unworthy of my rage; but perdition seize me
if ever I see you more!
King Camaralzaman was a man of too much religion to break his vow:
he commanded the two queens to be lodged in separate apartments that
very day, where they were kept under strong guards, and he never saw
them again as long as he lived.
While the king of the isle of Ebene afflicted himself for the loss
of the princes his sons, whose death he thought he had been the
author of, by his too rashly condemning them, the royal youths
wandered through deserts, endeavouring to avoid all places that were
inhabited, and to meet any human creature. They lived on herbs and
wild fruits and drank only foul rain-water, which they found in the
crevices of the rocks. They slept, and watched by turns at night,
for fear of wild beasts.
When they had travelled about a month, they came to the foot of a
frightful mountain, of black stones, and to all appearance
inaccessible. They at last espied a sort of path, but so narrow and
difficult, that they durst not venture up it. This obliged them to
go along by the foot of the mountain, in hopes to find a more easy
way to reach the top of it. They went about it five days, but could
see nothing like a path, so they were forced to return to that which
they had neglected. They still thought it would be in vain for them
to attempt going up by it; they deliberated what they should do, a
long time; and at last, encouraging one another, resolved to ascend
the hill.
The more they advanced, they thought it was the higher and the more
steep, which made them think several times of giving over their
enterprise. When the one was weary, the other stopt, and they took
breath together; sometimes they were both so tired, that they wanted
strength to go farther: then, despairing of being able to reach the
top, they thought they must lie down and die of fatigue and
weariness. A few minutes after, when they found they recovered
strength, they animated each other, and went on.
Notwithstanding all their endeavours, and their courage and
perseverance, they could not get to the top that day: night came on,
and prince Assad was so tired and spent, that he stopt, and said to
prince Amgiad, Brother, I can go no farther: I am just dying. --Let
us rest ourselves, replied prince Amgiad, as long as you will, and
have a good heart; it is but a little way to the top, and the moon
befriends us.
They rested themselves about half an hour, and then Assad made a new
effort, and once more ascended what remained of the way to the
mountain’s summit, where they both at last arrived, and lay down.
Amgiad rose first, and advancing, saw a tree at a little distance:
he went to it, and found it was a pomegranate tree with large fruit
upon it, and a spring at the foot of it: he ran to his brother Assad
to tell him the good news, and conduct him to the tree by the
fountain side. They refreshed themselves there by eating each a
pomegranate, after which they fell asleep.
When they awoke next morning, Come, brother, said Amgiad to Assad,
let us go on: I see the mountain is easier to be travelled over on
this side than the other; all our way now is down hill; but Assad
was so tired with the last day’s fatigue, that he wanted three
days repose to recover himself.
They spent them as they had done many before, in discoursing on
their mothers’ inordinate passion, which had reduced them to such
a deplorable state: But, said they, since Heaven has so visibly
declared itself in our favour, we ought to bear it with patience,
and comfort ourselves with hopes that we shall see an end of it.
After having rested three days, the two brothers continued their
travels. As the mountain on that side was composed of several stages
of extensive fields, they were five days in descending it, before
they came into the plain. They then discovered a great city, at
which they rejoiced. Brother, said Amgiad to Assad, are not you of
my opinion, that you should stay in some place out of the city,
where I may find you again, while I go and learn the language, and
inform myself what is the name of the city? in what country we are?
and when I come back, I will bring provisions with me. It may not be
safe for us to go there together.
Brother, replied Assad, your advice is both safe and prudent, and I
approve of what you say; but if one of us must part from the other
on that account, I will not suffer it to be you; you must allow me
to go, for what shall I suffer, if any ill accident should happen to
you?
But, brother, answered Amgiad, the same ill accident you fear for
me, I have as much reason to be afraid of for you; I entreat you to
let me go, and do you stay here with patience. I will never yield to
it, said Assad; if any ill happen to me, it will be some comfort to
think you are safe. Amgiad was forced to submit, and Assad going
towards the city, he stayed under the trees at the foot of the
mountain.
Prince Assad took the purse of money which Amgiad had in charge, and
went forwards towards the city. He had not gone far in the first
street, before he met with a reverend old man with a cane in his
hand: he was neatly dressed, and the prince took him for a man of
note in the place, who would not put a trick upon him, so he
accosted him thus: Pray, my lord, which is the way to the
market-place? The old man looked on prince Assad, smiling: Child,
said he, it is plain you are a stranger, or you would not have asked
that question of me.
Yes, my lord, I am a stranger, replied Assad. The old man answered,
You are welcome then; our country will be honoured by the presence
of so handsome a young man as you are: tell me what business you
have at the market-place.
My lord, replied Assad, it is near two months since my brother and I
set out from our own country, which is a great way from hence: we
have not ceased travelling, and we arrived here but to-day. My
brother, tired with such a long journey, stays at the foot of the
mountain, and I am come to buy some provision for him and me.
Son, said the old man, you could not have come in a better time, and
I am glad of it, for your and your brother’s sake: I made a feast
to-day for some friends of mine, and there is a great deal of
victuals left untouched: come along with me; you shall eat as much
as you please, and when you have done, I will give you enough to
last your brother and you several days: do not spend your money,
when there is no occasion for it; travellers are always in want of
it. While you are eating, I will give you an account of our city,
which nobody can do better than myself, who have borne all the
honourable offices in it. It is well for you that you happened to
light upon me; for I must tell you, all our citizens cannot so well
help and inform you as I can: I can assure you some of them are very
wicked. Come along, you shall see the difference between a real
honest man, as I am, and such as boast of being so, and are not.
I am infinitely obliged to you, replied Assad, for your good will
towards me; I put myself entirely into your hands, and am ready to
go with you where you please.
The old man laughed in his sleeve to think he had got the prince in
his clutches; and as he walked by the side of him, all the way, lest
he should perceive it, talked of various subjects, to preserve the
favourable opinion Assad had of him. Among other things, said he, it
must be confessed you were very fortunate to meet with me, rather
than with any other man. I thank God I met with you: you will know
why I say it when you come to my house.
Thither they came ere it was long, and the old man introduced Assad
into a hall, where were forty such old fellows as himself, who made
a circle round a flaming fire, which they adored. The prince was not
more seized with horror at the sight of so many men mistakingly
adoring the creature for the Creator, than with fear of finding
himself betrayed and in such an abominable place.
While Assad stood motionless with astonishment, the old cheat
saluted the forty grey-headed men. Devout adorers of fire, said he
to them, this is a happy day for us. Where is Gazban? call him.
He spake these words aloud, and a negro, who waited at the lower end
of the hall, presently came up to him. This black was Gazban; who,
as soon as he saw the disconsolate Assad, imagined for what he was
called. He ran to him immediately, knocked him down, and bound his
hands with wonderful activity. When he had done, Carry him down,
said the old man, and fail not to order my daughters, Bostama and
Cavama, to give him every day a good bastinado, with a loaf morning
and night for his subsistence: this is enough to keep him alive till
the next ship departs for the blue sea and the fiery mountain. He
shall be offered up an agreeable sacrifice to our divinity.
As soon as the old man had given this cruel order to Gazban, than
the slave hurried prince Assad out of the hall, through several
doors, till they came to a dungeon, down to which led twenty steps;
there he left him in chains of prodigious weight and bigness,
fastened to his feet. When he had done, he went to give the old
man’s daughters notice of it; but their father had before sent for
them, and given them their instructions himself. Daughters, said he
to them, go down and give the Mussulman I just now brought in the
bastinado, as you know how to do it: do not spare him; you cannot
better show your zeal for the worship of the fire.
Bostama and Cavama, who were bred up in their hatred to Mussulmen,
received this order with joy. They descended into the dungeon that
very moment, stripped Assad, and bastinadoed him unmercifully, till
the blood issued out of his wounds, and he was almost dead. After
this cruel infliction, they put a loaf of bread and a pot of water
by him, and retired.
Assad did not come to himself again for a long time; when he did, he
broke out into a flood of tears, deploring his misery. His comfort
however was, that this misfortune had not happened to his brother
Amgiad.
That prince waited for his brother till evening with impatience:
when it was two, three, or four of the clock in the morning, and
Assad did not return, he was like one in despair. He spent the night
in that dismal condition; and as soon as it was day, went to the
city, where he was surprised to see but very few Mussulmen. He
accosted the first he met, and asked him the name of the place. He
was told it was the city of the Magicians; so called, from the great
number of magicians, who adored the fire, and that there were but
very few Mussulmen. Amgiad then demanded how far it was to the isle
of Ebene. He was answered, four months voyage by sea, and a year’s
journey by land. The man he talked to left him hastily, having
satisfied him as to those two questions, and went about his business.
Amgiad, who had been but six weeks coming from the isle of Ebene
with his brother Assad, could not comprehend how they reached this
city in so little time, unless it was by enchantment, or that the
way across the mountain was much shorter, but not frequented,
because of its difficulty.
Going farther in the town, he stopped at a tailor’s shop, whom he
knew to be a Mussulman by his dress, as he had known the man he had
talked to before. Having saluted him, he sat down, and told the
occasion of the trouble he was in.
When prince Amgiad had done talking, the tailor replied, If your
brother has fallen into the hands of some magician, depend upon it
you will never see him more: he is lost past all recovery; and I
advise you to comfort yourself as well as you can, and to beware of
falling into the same misfortune. To which end, if you will hearken
to me, you shall stay at my house, and I will tell you all the
tricks of these magicians, that you may take care of yourself when
you go out. Amgiad, afflicted for the loss of his brother, accepted
the tailor’s offer, and thanked him a thousand times for his
kindness to him.
The Story of Prince Amgiad and a Lady of the City of the Magicians.
Prince Amgiad did not go out of the tailor’s house for a whole
month, except his host went with him. At last he ventured to go
alone to the bath. As he was returning home through a street where
there was nobody, he met a lady coming to him. Seeing a handsome
young man, fresh come out of the bath, she lifted up her veil, and
asked him, with a smiling air, whither he was going; and ogled him
all the while so amorously, that Amgiad could not resist her charms.
Madam, said he, I am going to my own house, or yours, as you please.
My lord, replied the lady, with an agreeable smile, ladies of my
quality never carry men to their own houses; they always go to the
men’s.
Amgiad was very much confounded at this answer, which he did not
expect: he durst not venture to take her home to his landlord’s
house, fearing the good man would be scandalized by it, and he
should have lost his protection, of which he stood in great need,
considering he was in a city where it was so necessary for him to be
always upon his guard: he knew so little of the town, that he could
not tell where to carry her, and he could not resolve to lose this
lucky adventure. In this uncertainty, he determined to throw himself
upon chance; and without making any answer, he went before, and the
lady followed him. Amgiad led her from street to street, from square
to square, till they were both weary with walking: at last they came
to a street, at the end of which was a great gate, shut up, opening
to a handsome house, and having a seat on each side of it. Amgiad
sat down on one of them, as if to take breath; and the lady, more
weary than he, seated herself on the other.
When she had taken her seat, she asked him whether that was his
house. You see it, madam, said Amgiad. Why do you not open the gate
then? replied the lady; what do you wait for? Fair lady, answered
Amgiad, I have not the key; I left it with my slave when I sent him
on an errand, and he cannot be come back yet: besides, I ordered him
afterwards to get something good for dinner; so that I am afraid we
shall wait a long time for him.
The prince met with so many difficulties in satisfying his passion,
that he began to repent of it. He therefore contrived this answer,
in hopes that the lady would take the hint, and out of resentment
leave him, and seek elsewhere for a lover; but he was mistaken.
This is a most impertinent slave, said the lady, to make us wait so
long. I will chastise him myself as he deserves, if you do not, when
he comes back: it is not decent that I should sit here alone with a
man at a gate. Saying this, she arose and took up a stone to break
the lock, which was only of wood, and weak, according to the fashion
of the country.
Amgiad did all he could to hinder her. What are you doing, madam?
said the prince. For Heaven’s sake stay a little! What are you
afraid of? replied the lady; is it not your house? It is no great
matter to break a wooden lock; a new one will not cost much. The
lock she accordingly broke; and as soon as the door was open,
entered the house, and walked before him.
Amgiad gave himself over for a lost man, when he saw the door forced
open; he paused upon it, whether he should go into the house or not,
or make off as fast as he could, to avoid the danger which he
believed was inevitable; and he was going to fly, when the lady
returned.
Seeing he did not enter, Why do not you come into your house? said
she. The prince answered, I am looking to see if my slave is coming,
fearing we have nothing ready. Come in, come in, said madam; we had
better wait for him within doors than without.
Amgiad, much against his will, followed her into the house. Passing
through a spacious court, neatly paved, they mounted by several
steps into a grand vestibule, which led to a large open hall, very
well furnished, where he and the lady saw a table ready spread with
all sorts of delicacies, another heaped with fruit, and a sideboard
full of bottles of wine.
When Amgiad saw these preparations, he gave himself up for lost.
Poor Amgiad, said he to himself, thou wilt soon follow thy dear
brother Assad!
The lady, on the contrary, transported at the sight, cried out, How,
my lord, did you fear there was nothing ready? You see your slave
has done more than you expected; but if I am not mistaken, these
preparations were made for some other lady, and not for me: no
matter, let her come; I promise you I will not be jealous; I only
beg the favour of you that you will permit me to wait on her and you.
Amgiad, as much as he was troubled at this accident, could not help
laughing at the lady’s pleasantry. Madam, said he, thinking of
something else that tormented his mind, there is nothing in what you
fancy; this is my common dinner, and no extraordinary preparation, I
assure you. As he could not bring himself to sit down at a table
which was not prepared for him, he would have taken his seat on a
sofa, but the lady would not let him. Come, sir, said she, you must
be hungry after bathing, let us eat and enjoy ourselves.
Amgiad was forced to do what the lady would have him: they both sat
down and fell to. The lady, having eat a bit, took a bottle and
glass, poured out some wine, and drank to Amgiad: and when she had
drank herself, she filled another glass, and gave it to Amgiad, who
pledged her. The more the prince thought of this adventure, the more
he was amazed that the master of the house did not appear, and that
so rich a house, and so well provided, should be left without a
servant. It will be lucky, said he to himself, if the master of the
house does not come till I am got clear of this intrigue. While he
was occupied with these thoughts, and others more troublesome, she
eat and drank heartily, and obliged him to do the same. They were
almost come to the fruit, when the master of the house arrived.
It happened to be Bahader, master of the horse to the king of the
magicians: this house belonged to him, but he commonly dwelt in
another; and he seldom came here, unless to regale himself with two
or three chosen friends. He always sent provisions from his other
house on such occasions, and had done so this day by some of his
servants, who were just gone as the lady and Amgiad entered it.
Bahader came as he used to do, in disguise, and without attendants,
and a little before the time appointed for his friends coming: he
was not a little surprised to see the door of his house broken open.
He entered, making no noise, and hearing some persons talking and
making merry in the hall, he stole along under the wall, and put his
head half-way within the door to see who they were.
Perceiving a young man and a young lady eating at his table the
victuals that had been provided for his friends and himself, and
that there was no great harm done, he resolved to divert himself
with the adventure.
The lady’s back was a little turned from him, and she did not see
the master of the horse, but Amgiad saw him immediately: he had then
the glass in his hand, and was going to drink it off; he changed
colour at the sight of Bahader, who made a sign to him not to say a
word, but to come and speak with him.
Amgiad drank and rose. Where are you going? said the lady. The
prince answered, Pray, madam, stay here a little; I shall be back
again in a minute; a small affair obliges me to go out at present.
Bahader waited for him in the vestibule, and led him into the court
to talk to him without being heard by the lady.
When Bahader and Amgiad were in the court, Bahader demanded of the
prince how the lady came into his house, and why they broke open his
door. My lord, replied Amgiad, you may very reasonably think me
guilty of a very unwarrantable action; but if you will have patience
to hear me, I hope my innocence will appear. He then told him, in a
few words, what had happened to him, without disguising any part of
the truth; and to convince him that he was not capable of committing
such an action as to break into a house, he told him plainly he was
a prince, and what was the reason of his coming to the city of the
magicians.
Bahader, who naturally loved strangers, was transported with an
opportunity of obliging one of Amgiad’s rank and quality; for by
his air, his actions, and his well-turned discourse, he did not in
the least doubt of the truth of what he said. Prince, said Bahader,
I am very glad I can oblige you in so pleasant an adventure as this:
far from disturbing the feast, it will be a pleasure to me to
contribute to your satisfaction in any thing. Before I say any more
on this subject, I am happy to inform you my name is Bahader; I am
master of the horse to the king of the magicians: I commonly dwell
in another house which I have in this city, and come here sometimes
to have the more liberty with my friends. You have made this lady
believe you have a slave, though you have none: I will be your
slave; and that this may not disturb you, and to spare your excuses,
I repeat again, that I will positively be so; you will soon know my
reason for it. Go to your place, and continue to divert yourself:
when I return again, and come before you in a slave’s habit, chide
me for staying so long; do not be afraid even to strike me. I will
wait upon you all the while you are at table, till night; you shall
sleep here, and so shall the lady, and to-morrow morning you may
send her home with honour. I shall afterwards endeavour to do you
more important services: go, and lose no time. Amgiad would have
made him an answer, but the master of the horse would not let him,
forcing him to go to the lady. He had scarce got into the hall
before Bahader’s friends, whom he had invited, arrived. Bahader
excused himself for not entertaining them that day, telling them
they would approve of the reason of it when they knew it, which
should be in due time. When they were gone, he went forth and
dressed himself in a slave’s habit.
Prince Amgiad came to the lady much better pleased at finding the
house belonged to a man of quality, who had received him so
courteously. When he sat down to the table again, he said, Madam, I
beg a thousand pardons for my rudeness: I was vexed that my slave
should tarry so long; the rascal shall pay for it, when he comes: I
will teach him to make me stay so for him.
Let not that trouble you, said the lady; so much the worse for him;
if he is guilty of any faults, let him pay for it: do not let us
think of him; we will enjoy ourselves without him.
They continued at the table with the more pleasure, as Amgiad was
under no apprehensions of the consequence of the lady’s
indiscretion, who ought not to have broken open the door, though it
had been Amgiad’s own house. The prince was now as merry as the
lady: they said a thousand pleasant things, and drank more than they
ate, till Bahader arrived, disguised like a slave.
Bahader entered like a slave who feared his master’s displeasure
for staying out when he had company with him: he fell down at his
feet, and kissed the ground, to implore his clemency; and when he
had done, stood behind him with his hands across, in expectation of
his commands.
Sirrah, said Amgiad, with a fierce tone and angry look, is there
such a slave as you in all the world? Where have you been? What have
you been doing, that you came no sooner?
My lord, replied Bahader, I ask your pardon; I was executing your
orders, and did not think you would come home so early.
You are a rascal, said Amgiad, and I shall break your bones, to
teach you to lie and to disappoint me. He then rose up, took a
stick, and gave him two or three slight blows with it; after which
he sat down to table again.
The lady was not satisfied with the chastisement he bestowed on him.
She also rose, took the stick, and fell upon Bahader so
unmercifully, that the tears came into his eyes. Amgiad, offended to
the last degree at the freedom she took, and that she should use one
of the king’s chief officers so ill, cried out to her in vain,
Enough. She continued striking him. Let me alone, said she, I will
give him enough, and teach him to be absent so long another time.
She continued beating him with great fury, till Amgiad rose from the
table, and forced the stick out of her hand; which she did not part
with without much struggling. When she found she could beat Bahader
no longer, she sat down and railed at and cursed him.
Bahader wiped his eyes, and stood up to fill out wine. When he saw
they had done eating and drinking, he took away the cloth, cleared
the hall, put every thing in its place; and, night coming on,
lighted up the lamps. Every time he came in, or went out, the lady
muttered and threatened him, and gave him abusive language, to
Amgiad’s great disliking, who would have hindered her, but could
not. When it was time for them to go to bed, Bahader prepared one
for them on the sofa, and withdrew into a chamber, where he laid
himself down, and it was not long before he fell asleep, having been
fatigued with his beating. Amgiad and the lady entertained one
another a good half hour afterwards, and the lady wanted to go forth
before she went to bed. Passing through the vestibule, she heard
Bahader snore; and having seen a sabre hanging up in the hall, she
turned back again, and said to prince Amgiad, My lord, as you love
me, do one thing for me. In what can I serve you? replied the
prince. The lady answered, Oblige me so far as to take down this
sabre, and cut off your slave’s head with it. Amgiad was
astonished at such a proposal from a lady, not doubting but it was
the wine she had drank that prompted it. Madam, said he, let my
slave alone; he is not worthy of your notice; I have beat him, and
you have beat him: it is sufficient: besides, I am very well
satisfied with him; he does not use to be guilty of such faults.
That shall not do, replied the lady, in violent fury; the rogue
shall die: if not by your hands, by mine. Saying this, she took down
the sabre from the place where it hung, drew it out of the scabbard,
and was going to execute her wicked design.
Amgiad met her in the vestibule, saying, You shall be satisfied,
madam, since you will have it so; but I should be sorry that any
one, beside myself, should kill my slave. When she had given him the
sabre, Come, follow me, said he; make no noise, for fear we wake
him. They went into Bahader’s chamber, where Amgiad, instead of
striking him, struck at the lady, and cut off her head, which fell
upon Bahader.