This, said Morgiana, is the account you asked of me; and I am

convinced it is the consequence of an observation which I had made

for two or three days before, but did not think fit to acquaint you

with; for when I came in one morning early, I found our street-door

marked with white chalk, and the next morning with red; and both

times, without knowing what was the intention of those chalks, I

marked two or three neighbours’ doors on each hand after the same

manner. If you reflect on this, and what has since happened, you

will find it to be a plot of the robbers of the forest, of whose

gang there are two wanting, and now they are reduced to three: all

this shows that they had sworn your destruction, and it is proper

you should stand upon your guard, while there is one of them alive:

for my part, I shall not neglect any thing necessary to your

preservation, as I am in duty bound.

When Morgiana had left off speaking, Ali Baba was so sensible of the

great service she had done him, that he said to her, I will not die

without rewarding you as you deserve: I owe my life to you, and for

the first token of my acknowledgment I give you your liberty from

this moment, till I can complete your recompense as I intend. I am

persuaded, with you, that the forty robbers have laid all manner of

snares for me: God, by your means, has delivered me from them, and I

hope will continue to preserve me from their wicked designs, and by

averting the danger which threatened me, will deliver the world from

their persecution and their cursed race. All that we have to do is

to bury the bodies of these pests of mankind immediately, and with

all the secrecy imaginable, that nobody may suspect what is become

of them. But that Abdalla and I will undertake.

Ali Baba’s garden was very long, and shaded at the farther end by

a great number of large trees. Under these trees he and the slave

went and dug a trench, long and wide enough to hold all the robbers,

and as the earth was light, they were not long doing it. Afterwards

they lifted the bodies out of the jars, took away their weapons,

carried them to the end of the garden, laid them in the trench, and

levelled the ground again. When this was done, Ali Baba hid the jars

and weapons; and as for the mules, as he had no occasion for them,

he sent them at different times to be sold in the market by his

slave.

While Ali Baba took these measures to prevent the public from

knowing how he came by his riches in so short a time, the captain of

the forty robbers returned to the forest, in most inconceivable

mortification; and in the agitation, or rather confusion, he was in

at his want of success, so contrary to what he had promised himself,

he entered the cave, not being able, all the way from the town, to

come to any resolution what to do to Ali Baba.

The loneliness of the dark place seemed frightful to him. Where are

you, my brave lads, cried he, old companions of my watchings,

inroads, and labour? What can I do without you? Did I collect you to

lose you by so base a fate, and so unworthy your courage? Had you

died with your sabres in your hands, like brave men, my regret had

been less! When shall I get so gallant a troop again? And if I

could, can I undertake it without exposing so much gold and treasure

to him, who hath already enriched himself out of it? I cannot, I

ought not to think of it, before I have taken away his life. I will

undertake that myself, which I could not accomplish with so powerful

assistance; and when I have taken care to secure this treasure from

being pillaged, I will provide for it new masters and successors

after me, who shall preserve and augment it to all posterity. This

resolution being taken, he was not at a loss how to execute it; but,

easy in his mind, and full of hopes, he slept all that night very

quietly.

When he waked early next morning, as he had proposed, he dressed

himself, agreeably to the project he had in his head, and went to

the town, and took a lodging in a khan. And as he expected what had

happened at Ali Baba’s might make a great noise in the town, he

asked his host, by way of discourse, what news there was in the

city. Upon which the innkeeper told him a great many things, which

did not concern him in the least. He judged by this, that the reason

why Ali Baba kept this affair so secret was for fear people should

know where the treasure lay, and the means of coming at it; and

because he knew his life would be sought upon account of it. And

this urged him the more to neglect nothing to rid himself of so

dangerous a person.

The next thing that the captain had to do was to provide himself

with a horse, to convey a great many sorts of rich stuffs and fine

linen to his lodging, which he did by a great many journeys to the

forest, but with all the necessary precautions imaginable to conceal

the place whence he brought them. In order to dispose of the

merchandizes, when he had amassed them together, he took a furnished

shop, which happened to be opposite to that which was Cassim’s,

which Ali Baba’s son had not long occupied.

He took upon him the name of Cogia Houssain, and as a new comer,

was, according to custom, extremely civil and complaisant to all the

merchants his neighbours. And as Ali Baba’s son was young and

handsome, and a man of good sense, and was often obliged to converse

with Cogia Houssain, he soon made himself acquainted with him. He

strove to cultivate his friendship, more particularly when, two or

three days after he was settled, he recognised Ali Baba, who came to

see his son, and stopped to talk with him as he was accustomed to

do; and when he was gone, he learnt from his son who he was. He

increased his assiduities, caressed him after the most engaging

manner, made him some small presents, and often asked him to dine

and sup with him; and treated him very handsomely.

Ali Baba’s son did not care to lie under such obligation to Cogia

Houssain without making the like return; but was so much straitened

for want of room in his house, that he could not entertain him so

well as he wished; and therefore acquainted his father Ali Baba with

his intention, and told him that it did not look well for him to

receive such favours from Cogia Houssain without inviting him again.

Ali Baba, with great pleasure, took the treat upon himself. Son,

said he, to-morrow (Friday), which is a day that the shops of such

great merchants as Cogia Houssain and yourself are shut, get him to

take a walk with you after dinner, and as you come back, pass by my

door, and call in. It will look better to have it happen

accidentally, than if you gave him a formal invitation. I will go

and order Morgiana to provide a supper.

The next day, after dinner, Ali Baba’s son and Cogia Houssain met

by appointment, and took their walk, and as they returned, Ali

Baba’s son led Cogia Houssain through the street where his father

lived; and when they came to the house, he stopped and knocked at

the door. This, sir, said he, is my father’s house; who, upon the

account I have given him of your friendship, charged me to procure

him the honour of your acquaintance; and I desire you to add this

pleasure to those I am already indebted to you for.

Though it was the sole aim of Cogia Houssain to introduce himself

into Ali Baba’s house, that he might kill him without hazarding

his own life or making any noise; yet he excused himself, and

offered to take his leave. But a slave having opened the door, Ali

Baba’s son took him obligingly by the hand, and in a manner forced

him in.

Ali Baba received Cogia Houssain with a smiling countenance, and in

the most obliging manner he could wish. He thanked him for all the

favours he had done his son; adding withal, the obligation was the

greater, as he was a young man not very well acquainted with the

world, and that he might contribute to his information.

Cogia Houssain returned the compliment, by assuring Ali Baba, that

though his son might not have acquired the experience of older men,

he had good sense equal to the experience of many others. After a

little more conversation on different subjects, he offered again to

take his leave; when Ali Baba, stopping him, said, Where are you

going, sir, in so much haste? I beg you would do me the honour to

sup with me, though what I have to give you is not worth your

acceptance; but such as it is, I hope you will accept it as heartily

as I give it. Sir, replied Cogia Houssain, I am thoroughly persuaded

of your good-will; and if I ask the favour of you not to take it ill

that I do not accept of your obliging invitation, I beg of you to

believe that it does not proceed from any slight or intention to

affront, but from a certain reason, which you would approve of if

you knew it.

And what may that reason be, sir, replied Ali Baba, if I may be so

bold as to ask you? It is, answered Cogia Houssain, that I can eat

no victuals that have any salt in them; therefore judge how I should

look at your table. If that is the only reason, said Ali Baba, it

ought not to deprive me of the honour of your company at supper;

for, in the first place, there is no salt ever put into my bread,

and for the meat we shall have to-night, I promise you there shall

be none. I will go and take care of that. Therefore you must do me

the favour to stay; I will come again immediately.

Ali Baba went into the kitchen, and ordered Morgiana to put no salt

to the meat that was to be dressed that night; and to make quickly

two or three ragouts besides what he had ordered, but be sure to put

no salt in them.

Morgiana, who was always ready to obey her master, could not help,

this time, seeming somewhat dissatisfied at his new order. Who is

this difficult man, said she, who eats no salt with his meat? Your

supper will be spoiled, if I keep it back so long. Do not be angry,

Morgiana, replied Ali Baba, he is an honest man: therefore do as I

bid you.

Morgiana obeyed, though with no little reluctance, and had a

curiosity to see this man who eat no salt. To this end, when she had

done what she had to do in the kitchen, and Abdalla laid the cloth,

she helped to carry up the dishes; and looking at Cogia Houssain,

knew him at the first sight to be the captain of the robbers,

notwithstanding his disguise; and examining him very carefully,

perceived that he had a dagger hid under his garment. I am not in

the least amazed, said she to herself, that this wicked wretch, who

is my master’s greatest enemy, would eat no salt with him, since

he intends to assassinate him; but I will prevent him.

When Morgiana had sent up the supper by Abdalla, while they were

eating, she made the necessary preparations for executing one of the

boldest acts which could be thought on, and had just done, when

Abdalla came again for the dessert of fruit, which she carried up,

and as soon as Abdalla had taken the meat away, set it upon the

table; after that, she set a little table and three glasses by Ali

Baba, and going out, took Abdalla along with her to go to sup

together, and to give Ali Baba the more liberty of conversation with

his guest.

Then the pretended Cogia Houssain, or rather captain of the robbers,

thought he had a favourable opportunity to kill Ali Baba. I will,

said he to himself, make the father and son both drunk; and then the

son, whose life I intend to spare, will not be able to prevent my

stabbing his father to the heart; and while the slaves are at

supper, or asleep in the kitchen, I can make my escape over the

gardens as before.

Instead of going to supper, Morgiana, who penetrated into the

intentions of the counterfeit Cogia Houssain, would not give him

leave to put his villanous design in execution, but dressed herself

neatly with a suitable head-dress like a dancer, girded her waist

with a silver-gilt girdle, to which there hung a poniard with a hilt

and guard of the same metal, and put a handsome mask on her face.

When she had thus disguised herself, she said to Abdalla, Take your

tabor, and let us go and divert our master and his son’s guest, as

we do sometimes when he is alone.

Abdalla took his tabor, and played before Morgiana all the way into

the hall, who, when she came to the door, made a low curtsey, with a

deliberate air, to make herself taken notice of, and by way of

asking leave to show what she could do. Abdalla, seeing that his

master had a mind to say something, left off playing. Come in,

Morgiana, said Ali Baba, and let Cogia Houssain see what you can do,

that he may tell us what he thinks of you. But, sir, said he,

turning towards Cogia Houssain, do not think that I put myself to

any expense to give you this diversion, since these are my slave and

my cook and house-keeper; and I hope you will not find the

entertainment they give us disagreeable.

Cogia Houssain, who did not expect this diversion after supper,

began to fear that he should not have the opportunity that he

thought he had found; but hoped, if he missed it now, to have it

another time, by keeping up a friendly correspondence with the

father and son; therefore, though he could have wished Ali Baba

would have let it alone, he pretended to be obliged to him for it,

and had the complaisance to express a pleasure at what he saw

pleased his host.

As soon as Abdalla saw that Ali Baba and Cogia Houssain had done

talking, he began to play on the tabor, and accompanied it with an

air; to which Morgiana, who was an excellent dancer, danced after

such a manner, as would have created admiration in any other company

but that before which she now exhibited, among whom, perhaps, none

but the false Cogia Houssain was in the least attentive to her.

After she had danced several dances with the same propriety and

strength, she drew the poniard, and holding it in her hand, dancing

a dance, in which she outdid herself, by the many different figures

and light movements, and the surprising leaps and wonderful

exertions, with which she accompanied it. Sometimes she presented

the poniard to one’s breast, and sometimes to another’s, and

oftentimes seeming to strike her own. At last, as if she was out of

breath, she snatched the tabor from Abdalla with her left hand, and

holding the dagger in her right, presented the other side of the

tabor, after the manner of those who get a livelihood by dancing,

and solicit the liberality of the spectators.

Ali Baba put a piece of gold into the tabor, as did also his son;

and Cogia Houssain, seeing that she was coming to him, had pulled

his purse out of his bosom to make her a present; but while he was

putting his hand into it, Morgiana, with a courage and resolution

worthy of herself, plunged the poniard into his heart.

Ali Baba and his son, frightened at this action, cried out aloud.

Unhappy wretch! exclaimed Ali Baba, what have you done to ruin me

and my family? It was to preserve you, not to ruin you, answered

Morgiana; for see here, said she, (opening Cogia Houssain’s

garment, and showing the dagger), what an enemy you had entertained!

Look well at him, and you will find him to be both the pretended

oil-merchant, and the captain of the gang of forty robbers.

Remember, too, that he would eat no salt with you; and what would

you have more to persuade you of his wicked design? Before I saw

him, I suspected him as soon as you told me you had such a guest. I

saw him, and you now find that my suspicion was not groundless.

Ali Baba, who immediately felt the new obligation he had to Morgiana

for saving his life a second time, embraced her: Morgiana, said he,

I gave you your liberty, and then promised you that my gratitude

should not stop there, but that I would soon complete it. The time

is come for me to give you a proof of it, by making you my

daughter-in-law. Then addressing himself to his son, he said to him,

I believe you, son, to be so dutiful a child, that you will not

refuse Morgiana for your wife. You see that Cogia Houssain sought

your friendship with a treacherous design to take away my life; and

if he had succeeded, there is no doubt but he would have sacrificed

you also to his revenge. Consider, that by marrying Morgiana, you

marry the support of my family and your own.

The son, far from showing any dislike, readily consented to the

marriage; not only because he would not disobey his father, but that

his inclination prompted him to it.

After this, they thought of burying the captain of the robbers with

his comrades, and did it so privately, that nobody knew any thing of

it till a great many years after, when not any one had any concern

in the publication of this remarkable history.

A few days afterwards, Ali Baba celebrated the nuptials of his son

and Morgiana with great solemnity and a sumptuous feast, and the

usual dancing and spectacles; and had the satisfaction to see that

his friends and neighbours, whom he invited, had no knowledge of the

true motives of that marriage; but that those who were not

unacquainted with Morgiana’s good qualities, commended his

generosity and goodness of heart.

Ali Baba forbore, a long time after this marriage, from going again

to the robbers’ cave, from the time he brought away his brother

Cassim and some bags of gold on three asses, for fear of finding

them there, and being surprised by them. He kept away after the

death of the thirty-seven robbers and their captain, supposing the

other two robbers, whom he could get no account of, might be alive.

But at the year’s end, when he found they had not made any attempt

to disturb him, he had the curiosity to make another journey, taking

the necessary precautions for his safety. He mounted his horse, and

when he came to the cave, and saw no footsteps of men or horses, he

looked upon it as a good sign. He alighted off his horse, and tied

him to a tree; and presenting himself before the door, and

pronouncing these words, _Open, Sesame!_ the door opened. He went

in, and by the condition he found things in, he judged that nobody

had been there since the false Cogia Houssain, when he fetched the

goods for his shop, and that the gang of forty robbers was

completely destroyed, and never doubted he was the only person in

the world who had the secret of opening the cave, and that all the

treasure was solely at his disposal; and having brought with him a

wallet, into which he put as much gold as his horse could carry, he

returned to town.

Afterwards Ali Baba carried his son to the cave, taught him the

secret, which they handed down to their posterity; and using their

good fortune with moderation, lived in great honour and splendour,

serving the greatest offices of the city.

The Story of Ali Cogia, a Merchant of Bagdad.

In the reign of the caliph Haroun Alraschid, there lived at Bagdad a

merchant whose name was Ali Cogia, that was neither one of the

richest nor the meanest sort. He was a bachelor, and lived in the

house which was his father’s, master of his own actions, content

with the profit he made by his trade. But happening to dream a dream

for three nights together, that a venerable old man came to him,

and, with a severe look, reprimanded him for not having made a

pilgrimage to Mecca, he was very much troubled.

As a good Mussulman, he knew he was obliged to undertake a

pilgrimage; but as he had a house, shop, and goods, he had always

believed that they might stand for a sufficient reason to excuse

him, endeavouring by his charity, and other good works, to atone for

that neglect. But after this dream, his conscience was so much

pricked, that the fear lest any misfortune should befal him, made

him resolve not to defer it any longer; and to be able to go that

year, he sold off his household goods, his shop, and with it the

greatest part of his merchandises, reserving only some, which he

thought might turn to a better account at Mecca: and meeting with a

tenant for his house, let that also.

Things being thus disposed, he was ready to go when the Bagdad

caravan set out for Mecca: the only thing he had to do was to secure

a sum of a thousand pieces of gold, which would have been

troublesome to carry along with him, besides the money he had set

apart to defray his expenses on the road, and for other purposes. To

this end he made choice of a jar of a proportionable size, put the

thousand pieces of gold into it, and covered them over with olives.

When he had closed the mouth of the jar, he carried it to a

merchant, a particular friend of his, and said to him, You know,

brother, that in a few days I set out with the caravan, on my

pilgrimage to Mecca. I beg the favour of you, that you would take

charge of a jar of olives, and keep it for me till I return. The

merchant promised him he would, and in an obliging manner said,

Here, take the key of my warehouse, and set your jar where you

please. I promise you shall find it there when you come again.

On the day the caravan was to set out, Ali Cogia joined it, with a

camel loaded with what merchandises he thought fit to carry along

with him, which served him to ride on, and arrived safe at Mecca,

where he visited, along with other pilgrims, the temple so much

celebrated and frequented by Mussulmen of all nations every year,

who come from all parts of the world, and observe religiously the

ceremonies prescribed them; and when he had acquitted himself of the

duties of his pilgrimage, he exposed the merchandises he had brought

with him, to sell or exchange them.

Two merchants passing by, and seeing Ali Cogia’s goods, thought

them so fine and choice, that they stopped some time to look at

them, though they had no occasion for them; and when they had

satisfied their curiosity, one of them said to the other, as they

were going away, If this merchant knew to what profit these goods

would turn at Cairo, he would carry them thither, and not sell them

here, though this is a good mart.

Ali Cogia heard these words; and as he had often heard talk of the

beauties of Egypt, he was resolved to take the opportunity of seeing

them, and taking a journey thither. Therefore, after having packed

up his goods again, instead of returning to Bagdad, he set out for

Egypt, with the caravan of Cairo; and when he came thither, he found

his account in his journey, and in a few days sold all his goods to

a greater advantage than he hoped for. With the money he bought

others, with an intent to go to Damascus; and while he waited for

the opportunity of a caravan, which was to set forward in six weeks,

he saw all the rarities at Cairo, as also the pyramids; and sailing

up the Nile, viewed the famous towns on each side of that river.

As the Damascus caravans took Jerusalem in their way, our Bagdad

merchant had the opportunity of visiting the temple, looked upon by

all the Mussulmen to be the most holy, after that of Mecca, whence

this city takes its name of _Noble Holiness_.

Ali Cogia found Damascus so delicious a place, abounding with fine

meads, pleasantly watered, and delightful gardens, that it exceeded

the descriptions given of it in history. Here he made a long abode,

but, nevertheless, had not forgot his native Bagdad: for which place

he set out, and arrived at Aleppo, where he made some stay; and from

thence, after having passed the Euphrates, he bent his course to

Moussoul, with an intention, in his return, to come by a shorter way

down the Tigris.

When Ali Cogia came to Moussoul, the Persian merchants, with whom he

travelled from Aleppo, and with whom he had contracted a great

friendship, had got so great an ascendant over him by their

civilities and agreeable conversation, that they easily persuaded

him not to leave them till they came to Schiraz, from whence he

might easily return to Bagdad with a considerable profit. They led

him through the towns of Sultania, Rei, Coam, Caschan, Ispahan, and

from thence to Schiraz; from whence he had the complaisance to bear

them company to India, and so came back again with them to Schiraz;

insomuch that, including the stay he made in every town, he was

seven years absent from Bagdad, whither he then resolved to return.

All this time his friend, with whom he had left his jar of olives,

neither thought of him nor them; but just at the time when he was on

the road with a caravan from Schiraz, one evening, when this

merchant was supping at home with his family, the discourse

happening to fall upon olives, his wife was desirous to eat some,

saying, she had not tasted any for a long while. Now you speak of

olives, said the merchant, you put me in mind of a jar, which Ali

Cogia left with me seven years ago, when he went to Mecca; and put

it himself in my warehouse, for me to keep for him against he

returned. What is become of him I know not; though, when the caravan

came back, they told me he was gone for Egypt. Certainly he must be

dead, since he has not returned in all this time; and we may eat the

olives if they prove good. Give me a plate and a candle, and I will

go and fetch some of them, and we will taste them.

For God’s sake, husband, said the wife, do not commit so base an

action: you know that nothing is more sacred than what is committed

to one’s care and trust. You say Ali Cogia has been gone to Mecca,

and is not returned; but you have been told that he is gone into

Egypt; and how do you know but he may be gone farther? As you have

no news of his death, he may return to-morrow, for any thing you can

tell; and what a disgrace would it be to you and your family, if he

should come, and you not restore him his jar in the same condition

he left it! I declare I have no desire of the olives, and will not

taste of them: for when I mentioned them, it was only by way of

discourse; besides, do you think that they can be good, after they

have been kept so long? They must be all mouldy, and spoiled; and if

Ali Cogia should return, as I have a strong persuasion he will, and

should find they have been opened, what will he think of your

honour? I beg of you to let them alone.

The wife had not argued so long with her husband, but that she read

his obstinacy in his face. In short, he never regarded what she

said, but got up, took a candle and a plate, and went into the

warehouse. Well, husband, said the wife again, remember I have no

hand in this business, and that you cannot lay any thing to my

charge, if you should have cause to repent of this action.

The merchant’s ears were deaf to these remonstrances of his wife,

and he persisted in his design. When he came into the warehouse, he

opened the jar, and found the olives all mouldy; but to see if they

were all so to the bottom, he turned some of them upon the plate,

and by shaking the jar, some of the gold tumbled out.

At the sight of the gold, the merchant, who was naturally covetous,

looked into the jar, and perceived that he had shaken out almost all

the olives, and what remained was fine gold coin. He immediately put

the olives into the jar again, covered it up, and returned to his

wife. Indeed, wife, said he, you was in the right to say that the

olives were all mouldy; for I found it so, and have made up the jar

just as Ali Cogia left it; so that he will not perceive that they

have been touched, if he should return. You had better have taken my

advice, said the wife, and not meddled with them. God grant no

mischief comes of it!

The merchant was not more affected with his wife’s last words than

he had been by her former, but spent almost the whole night in

thinking how he might appropriate Ali Cogia’s gold to his own use,

and keep possession of it, in case Ali Cogia should return and ask

him for the jar. The next morning, he went and bought some olives of

that year, took out the old and the gold, and filled the jar with

the new, covered it up, and put it in the same place where Ali Cogia

left it.

About a month after the merchant had committed so base an action,

for which he was to pay dear, Ali Cogia arrived at Bagdad; and as he

had let his house, he alighted at a khan, choosing to stay there

till he had signified his arrival to his tenant, and he had provided

himself with another house.

The next morning, Ali Cogia went to pay a visit to the merchant his

friend, who received him in the most obliging manner imaginable, and

expressed a great deal of joy at his return, after so many years

absence; telling him that he had begun to lose all hopes of ever

seeing him again.

After the usual compliments on both sides on such a meeting, Ali

Cogia desired the merchant to return him the jar of olives which he

had left with him, and to excuse the liberty he had taken in giving

him so much trouble.

My dear friend, Ali Cogia, replied the merchant, you are to blame to

make all these apologies; your vessel has been no inconvenience to

me: on such an occasion I should have made as free with you: there,

take the key of my warehouse; go and take it; you will find it in

the same place where you left it.

Ali Cogia went into the merchant’s warehouse, took his jar, and

after having returned him the key, and thanks for the favour he had

done him, returned with it to the khan where he lodged; and opening

the jar, and putting his hand down as low as the pieces of gold lay,

was very much surprised to find none. At first, he thought he might

perhaps be mistaken; and, to discover the truth, poured out all the

olives into all his travelling kitchen-utensils, without so much as

finding one single piece of money. His astonishment was so great,

that he stood for some time motionless; then lifting up his hands

and eyes to heaven, he cried out, Is it possible that a man, whom I

took to be my good friend, should be guilty of so base an action?

Ali Cogia, cruelly alarmed at the fear of so considerable a loss,

returned immediately to the merchant. My good friend, said he, be

not surprised to see me come back so soon. I own the jar of olives

to be the same put into your magazine; but with the olives I put a

thousand pieces of gold into it, which I do not find. Perhaps you

might have occasion for them, to employ them in trade; if so, they

are at your service; only put me out of my pain, and give me an

acknowledgment, after which you may pay me again at your own

convenience.

The merchant, who expected that Ali Cogia would come with such a

complaint, had meditated an answer. Friend Ali Cogia, said he, when

you brought your jar of olives to me, did I touch it? did not I give

you the key of my warehouse? did not you carry it there yourself,

and did not you find it in the same place, covered in the same

manner as when you left it? And if you put gold in it, you should

have found it again. You told me that they were olives, and I

believed it. This is all I know of the matter: you may believe me,

if you please; but I never touched them.

Ali Cogia made use of all the mild ways he could think of to oblige

the merchant to do him right. I love peace and quietness, said he to

him, and shall be very sorry to come to those extremities which will

bring the greatest disgrace upon you: consider that merchants, as we

are, ought to abandon all interest to preserve a good reputation.

Once again I tell you, I should be very much concerned if your

obstinacy shall oblige me to force you to do me justice; for I would

rather almost lose what is my right than have recourse to law.

Ali Cogia, replied the merchant, you agree that you left a jar of

olives with me; and now you have taken it away, you come and ask me

for a thousand pieces of gold. Did you ever tell me that such a sum

was in the jar? I did not even know that they were olives, for you

never showed them to me. I wonder you do not as well ask me for

diamonds and pearls instead of gold; begone about your business, and

do not raise a mob about my shop: for some persons had already

stopped. These last words were pronounced in so great heat and

passion, as not only made those who stood about the shop already

stay longer, and created a great mob, but the neighbouring merchants

came out of their shops to see what was the dispute between Ali

Cogia and the merchant, and endeavour to reconcile them; and when

Ali Cogia had informed them of his grievance, they asked the

merchant what he had to say.

The merchant owned that he had kept the jar for Ali Cogia in his

warehouse, but denied that ever he meddled with it; and swore that

he knew it was full of olives only because Ali Cogia told him so,

and bid them all bear witness of the insult and affront offered him.

You bring it upon yourself, said Ali Cogia, taking him by the arm;

but since you use me so basely, I cite you to the law of God; let us

see whether you will have the assurance to say the same thing before

the cady.

The merchant could not refuse this summons, which every good

Mussulman is bound to observe, or be declared a rebel against

religion; but said, With all my heart; we shall soon see who is in

the wrong.

Ali Cogia carried the merchant before the cady, before whom he

accused him of cheating him of a thousand pieces of gold, which he

had left with him. The cady asked him if he had any witnesses; to

which he replied, that he had not taken that precaution, because he

believed the person he trusted his money with to be his friend, and

always took him for an honest man.

The merchant made the same defence he had done before the merchants

his neighbours, offering to make oath that he never had the money he

was accused of, and that he did not so much as know there was such a

sum; upon which the cady took his oath, and dismissed him acquitted.

Ali Cogia, extremely mortified to find that he must sit down with so

considerable a loss, protested against the sentence, declaring to

the cady that he would appeal to the caliph Haroun Alraschid, who

would do him justice; which protestation the cady only looked upon

as the effect of the common resentment of all those who lose their

cause, and thought he had done his duty in acquitting a person who

had been accused without witnesses.

While the merchant returned home, triumphing over Ali Cogia, and

overjoyed at his good fortune, Ali Cogia went and drew up a

petition; and the next day, observing the time when the caliph came

from noon prayers, he placed himself in the street he was to pass

through, and holding out his hand with the petition, an officer

appointed for that purpose, who always goes before the caliph, came

and took it to present it.

As Ali Cogia knew that it was the caliph’s custom to read the

petitions at his return to the palace, he went into the court, and

waited till the officer who had taken the petition read it, and came

out of the caliph’s apartment, who told him that the caliph had

appointed an hour to hear him next day; and then asking him where

the merchant lived, he sent to notify him to attend at the same time.

That same evening, the caliph, the grand vizier Giafar, and Mesrour,

the chief of the eunuchs, went all disguised through the town, as I

have already told your majesty it was his custom occasionally to do:

and, passing through a street, the caliph heard a noise, and mending

his pace, he came to a gate, which led into a little court; through

a hole he perceived ten or twelve children playing by moonlight.

The caliph, who was curious to know at what play the children

played, sat down upon a stone bench just by; and, still looking

through the hole, he heard one of the briskest and liveliest of the

children say, Let us play at the cady. I will be the cady; bring Ali

Cogia and the merchant who cheated him of the thousand pieces of

gold before me.

These words of the child put the caliph in mind of the petition Ali

Cogia had given him that day, and made him redouble his attention to

see the issue of the trial.

As the affair of Ali Cogia and the merchant made a great noise in

Bagdad, it had not escaped the children, who all accepted the

proposition with joy, and agreed on the part each was to act: not

one of them refused him that made the proposal to be cady; and when

he had taken his seat, which he did with all the seeming gravity of

a cady, another, as an officer of the court, presented two before

him, one as Ali Cogia, and the other as the merchant against whom he

complained.

Then the pretended cady, directing his discourse to the feigned Ali

Cogia, asked him what he had to lay to that merchant’s charge.

Ali Cogia, after a low bow, informed the young cady of the fact, and

related every particular, and afterwards begged that he would use

his authority, that he might not lose so considerable a sum of money.

Then the feigned cady, turning about to the merchant, asked him why

he did not return the money which Ali Cogia demanded of him.

The feigned merchant alleged the same reasons as the real merchant

had done before the cady himself, and offered to confirm by oath

that what he had said was truth.

Not so fast, replied the pretended cady; before you come to your

oath, I should be glad to see the jar of olives. Ali Cogia, said he,

addressing himself to the lad who acted that part, have you brought

the jar? No, replied he. Then go and fetch it immediately, said the

other.

The pretended Ali Cogia went immediately, and returning as soon,

feigned to set a jar before the cady, telling him that it was the

same he left with the accused person, and took away again. But, to

omit no part of the formality, the supposed cady asked the merchant

if it was the same; and as by his silence he seemed not to deny it,

he ordered it to be opened. He that represented Ali Cogia seemed to

take off the cover, and the pretended cady made as if he looked into

it. They are fine olives, said he; let me taste of them; and then

pretending to eat of them, added, They are excellent; but, continued

he, I cannot think that olives will keep seven years, and be so

good: send for some olive-merchants, and let me hear what is their

opinion. Then two boys, as olive-merchants, presented themselves.

Are you olive-merchants? said the sham cady. Tell me how long olives

will keep to be fit to eat?

Sir, replied the two merchants, let us take what care we can, they

will hardly be worth any thing the third year; for then they have

neither taste nor colour. If it be so, answered the cady, look into

that jar, and tell me how long it is since those olives were put

into it.

The two merchants pretended to examine and to taste the olives, and

told the cady they were new and good. You are mistaken, said the

young cady; Ali Cogia says he put them into the jar seven years ago.

Sir, replied the merchants, we can assure you they are of this

year’s growth; and we will maintain there is not a merchant in

Bagdad but will say the same.

The feigned merchant that was accused would have objected against

the evidence of the olive-merchants; but the feigned cady would not

suffer him. Hold your tongue, said he; you are a rogue; let him be

hanged. Then the children put an end to their play, clapping their

hands with great joy, and seizing the feigned criminal to carry him

to execution.

Words cannot express how much the caliph Haroun Alraschid admired

the sagacity and sense of the boy who had passed so just a sentence

in an affair which was to be pleaded before him the next day. He

withdrew, and rising off the bench he sat on, he asked the grand

vizier, who heard all that passed, what he thought of it. Indeed,

commander of the true believers, answered the grand vizier Giafar, I

am surprised to find so much sagacity in one so young.

But, answered the caliph, do you know one thing? I am to pronounce

sentence in this very cause to-morrow; the true Ali Cogia presented

his petition to me to-day; and do you think, continued he, that I

can give a better sentence? I think not, answered the vizier, if the

case is as the children represented it. Take notice then of this

house, said the caliph, and bring the boy to me to-morrow, that he

may try this cause in my presence; and also order the cady, who

acquitted the roguish merchant, to attend, to learn his duty from a

child. Take care likewise to bid Ali Cogia bring his jar of olives

with him, and let two olive merchants be present. After this charge,

he pursued his rounds, without meeting with any thing else worth his

attention.

The next day the vizier went to the house where the caliph had been

witness of the children’s play, and asked for the master of it;

but he being abroad, his wife came to him. He asked her, if she had

any children. To which she answered, she had three, and called them.

My brave boys, said the vizier, which of you was the cady when you

played together last night? The eldest made answer he was; but not

knowing why he asked the question, coloured. Come along with me, my

lad, said the grand vizier, the commander of the faithful wants to

see you.

The mother was in a great fright when she saw the grand vizier would

take her son with him, and asked him upon what account the caliph

wanted him. The grand vizier encouraged her, and promised her that

he should return again in less than an hour’s time, when she

should know it from himself. If it be so, sir, said the mother, give

me leave to dress him first, that he may be fit to appear before the

commander of the faithful; which the vizier readily complied with.

As soon as the child was dressed, the vizier carried him away and

presented him to the caliph at the time he had appointed to hear Ali

Cogia and the merchant.

The caliph, who saw that the boy was dashed, to encourage him, said,

Come to me, child, and tell me if it was you that determined the

affair between Ali Cogia and the merchant that cheated him of his

money? I saw and heard you, and am very well pleased with you. The

boy answered modestly that it was he. Well, my son, replied the

caliph, come and sit down by me, and you shall see the true Ali

Cogia, and the true merchant.

Then the caliph took him by the hand, and set him on the throne by

him, and asked for the two parties. When they were called, they came

and prostrated themselves before the throne, bowing their heads

quite down to the carpet that covered it. Afterwards the caliph said

to them, Plead each of you your causes before this child, who will

hear and do you justice; and if he should be at a loss, I will

rectify it.

Ali Cogia and the merchant pleaded one after the other; but when the

merchant proposed his oath as before, the child said, It is too

soon; it is proper that we should see the jar of olives.

At these words, Ali Cogia presented the jar, placed it at the

Caliph’s feet, and opened it. The caliph looked upon the olives,

and took one and tasted it. Afterwards the merchants were called,

who examined the olives, and reported that they were good, and of

that year. The boy told them that Ali Cogia affirmed that it was

seven years since he put them up; and they returned the same answer

as the children, who represented them the night before.

Though the merchant who was accused saw plainly that these

merchants’ opinions would condemn him, yet he would say something

in his own justification. But the child, instead of ordering him to

be hanged, looked at the caliph, and said, Commander of the

faithful, this is no jesting matter; it is your majesty that must

condemn him to death, and not me, though I did it yesterday in play.

The caliph, fully satisfied of the merchant’s villany, delivered

him into the hands of the ministers of justice to be hanged. This

sentence was executed upon him after he had confessed where he had

hid the thousand pieces of gold, which were restored to Ali Cogia.

Then the monarch, most just and equitable, turning to the cady, bid

him learn of that child to acquit himself more exactly of his duty;

and embracing the boy, sent him home with a purse of a hundred

pieces of gold, as a token of his liberality.

The Story of the Enchanted Horse.

The Nevrouz, [101] or the new day, which is the first of the year

and spring, is observed as an ancient and solemn feast throughout

all Persia, which has been continued from the time of idolatry; and

our prophet’s religion, pure as it is, and true as we hold it, has

not been able to abolish that heathenish custom, and the

superstitious ceremonies which are observed, not only in the great

cities, but celebrated with extraordinary rejoicings in every little

town, village and hamlet.

But the rejoicings are the most extraordinary at the court, for the

variety of new and surprising sights, insomuch that strangers are

invited from the neighbouring states, and the most remote parts, by

rewards and liberality of the king towards those who are the most

excellent in their invention and contrivance. In short, nothing in

the rest of the world can come nigh them in magnificence.

One of these feast days, after the most ingenious artists of the

country had repaired to Schiraz, where the court then resided, and

had entertained the king and all the court with their sights, and

had been bountifully and liberally rewarded according to their merit

and to their satisfaction by the king, when the assembly was just

breaking up, an Indian appeared at the foot of the throne with an

artificial horse, richly bridled and saddled, and so well made, that

at first sight he looked like a living horse.

The Indian prostrated himself before the throne, and pointing to the

horse, said to the king, Though, sir, I present myself the last

before your majesty, yet I can assure you that nothing that has been

shown to-day is so wonderful as this horse, on which I beg your

majesty will be pleased to cast your eyes. I see nothing more in the

horse, said the king, but the natural resemblance the workman has

given him, which the skill of another workman may do as well or

better.

Sir, replied the Indian, it is not for his outward form and

appearance that I recommend my horse to your majesty’s examination

as wonderful, but the use I know how to make of him, and what any

other person, when I have communicated the secret to him, may do as

well. Whenever I mount him, be it where it will, if I wish to

transport myself through the air to the most distant part of the

world, I can do it in a very short time. This, sir, is the wonder of

my horse, a wonder which nobody ever heard speak of, and which I

offer to show your majesty, if you command me. [102]

The king of Persia, who was fond of every thing that was curious,

and, after the many wonderful things he had seen and desired to see,

had never seen nor heard any thing that came up to this, told the

Indian that nothing but the experience of what he told should

convince him; and that withal he was ready to see him perform what

he promised.

The Indian presently put his foot into the stirrup, and mounted his

horse with a great deal of activity; and when he had got the other

foot into the stirrup, and had fixed himself in the saddle, he asked

the king of Persia where he pleased to send him.

About three leagues from Schiraz there was a high mountain,

discernible from the large square before the palace, where the king

and his court, and a great concourse of people then were. Do you see

that mountain? said the king, pointing to the hill; go to it, it is

not a great way off, but it is far enough to judge of the haste you

can make in going and coming. But because it is not possible for the

eye to follow you so far, for a certain sign that you have been

there, I expect that you will bring me a branch of a palm tree that

grows at the bottom of the hill.

The king of Persia had no sooner declared his will, but the Indian

turned a peg, which was in the hollow of the horse’s neck, just by

the pommel of the saddle, and in an instant the horse rose off the

ground, and carried his rider into the air like lightning to such a

height, that those who had the strongest sight could not discern

him, to the admiration of the king and all the spectators. Within

less than a quarter of an hour they saw him come again with the palm

branch in his hand; but before he came quite down, he took two or

three turns in the air over the spot, amid the acclamations of all

the people, then descended upon the same spot of ground whence he

set off, without receiving the least shock from the horse to

disorder him. He dismounted, and going up to the throne, prostrated

himself, and laid the branch of the palm-tree at the king’s feet.

The king of Persia, who was an eye-witness, with no less admiration

than astonishment of this unheard-of sight, which the Indian had

exhibited, conceived a great desire to have the horse; and as he

persuaded himself that he should not find it a difficult matter to

treat with the Indian about him, for whatever sum of money he should

value him at, he began to look upon him as the most valuable thing

in his treasury. To judge of thy horse by his outward appearance,

said he to the Indian, I did not think him so much worth my

consideration. As you showed me his merits, I am obliged to you for

undeceiving me; and to show you how much I esteem him, I will buy

him of you, if he is to be sold.

Sir, replied the Indian, I never doubted that your majesty, who has

the character of the most judicious prince on earth, would set a

just value on my work as soon as I had shown you on what account he

was worthy your attention. I also foresaw that you would not only

admire and commend him, but would desire to have him. For my part,

sir, though I know the true value of him, and that my being master

of him will render my name immortal in the world, yet I am not so

fond of him but I can resign him, to gratify that noble passion of

your majesty; but in making this declaration, I have another to add,

without which I cannot resolve to part with him, and perhaps you may

not approve of it.

Your majesty will not be displeased, continued the Indian, if I tell

you that I did not buy this horse, but obtained him of the inventor

and maker, by giving him my only daughter in marriage, and promising

at the same time never to sell him; but, if I parted with him, to

exchange him for something that I should like.

The Indian would have gone on, but at the word exchange, the king of

Persia interrupted him: I am willing, said he, to give you what you

will ask in exchange. You know my kingdom is large, and contains

many great, rich, and populous cities; I will give you the choice of

which you like best, in full sovereignty for the rest of your life.

This exchange seemed royal and noble to the whole court, but was

much below what the Indian proposed to himself, who had raised his

thoughts much higher. I am infinitely obliged to your majesty for

the offer you make me, answered he, and cannot thank you enough for

your generosity; yet I must beg of you not to be angry with me, if I

have the boldness to tell you, that I cannot resign to you my horse,

but by receiving the hand of the princess your daughter as my wife:

this is the only price at which I can give up my property in him.

The courtiers about the king of Persia could not forbear laughing

aloud at this extravagant demand of the Indian; but the prince

Firouz Schah, the king’s eldest son, and presumptive heir to the

crown, could not bear it without indignation. The king was of a very

different opinion, and thought he might sacrifice the princess of

Persia to the Indian, to satisfy his curiosity. He remained,

however, undetermined, considering what he should do.

Prince Firouz Schah, who saw his father hesitating what answer he

should make, began to fear lest he should comply with the Indian’s

demand, and looked upon it as not only injurious to the royal

dignity and his sister, but also to himself; therefore, to

anticipate his father, he said, Sir, I hope your majesty will

forgive me for daring to ask you, if it is possible that your

majesty should hesitate a moment about a denial to so insolent a

demand from such an insignificant fellow, and scandalous juggler;

and that you should give him reason to flatter himself a moment with

being allied to one of the most powerful monarchs in the world? I

beg of you to consider what you owe to yourself, and to your own

blood, and the high rank of your ancestors.

Son, replied the king of Persia, I very much approve of your

remonstrance, and am very sensible of your zeal for preserving the

lustre of your noble birth; but you do not consider enough the

excellence of this horse, nor that the Indian, if I should refuse

him, may make the offer somewhere else, where this nice point of

honour may be waved. I shall be in the utmost despair if another

prince should boast of having exceeded me in generosity, and

deprived me of the glory of possessing a horse, which I esteem as

the most singular and wonderful thing in the world. I will not say I

consent to grant him what he asked. Perhaps he has not made up his

mind upon this exorbitant demand; and, putting my daughter the

princess out of the question, I may make another agreement with him

that will answer his purpose as well. But before I strike the

bargain with him, I should be glad that you would examine the horse;

try him yourself, and give me your opinion; I doubt not he will

permit.

As it is natural for us to flatter ourselves in what we desire, the

Indian fancied, by what he heard the king of Persia say, he was not

entirely averse to his alliance, by taking the horse at his price;

and that the prince, who, instead of being against it, might become

more favourable to him, and not oppose the desire the king seemed to

have; and to show he consented to it with a great deal of pleasure,

he expressed much joy, ran before the prince to help him to mount,

and showed him how to guide and manage the horse.

The prince mounted the horse with wonderful address, without the

Indian assisting him; and no sooner had he got his feet in both

stirrups, but, without staying for the Indian’s advice, he turned

the peg he had seen him use, and mounted into the air as quick as an

arrow shot out of a bow by the stoutest and most adroit archer; and

in a few moments the king, court, and the numerous assembly, lost

sight of him. Neither horse nor prince were to be seen; and the king

of Persia made vain efforts to discern them: when the Indian,

alarmed at what had happened, prostrated himself before the throne,

and forced the king to look at him, and give attention to what he

said. Sir, said he, your majesty yourself saw that the prince was so

hasty, that he would not permit me to give him the necessary

instructions to govern my horse. From what he saw me do, he would

show that he wanted not my advice to set off. He was too willing to

show his address, but knows not the way which I was going to show

him, how to turn the horse about and bring it back again. Therefore,

sir, the favour I ask of your majesty is, not to make me accountable

for what accidents may befall him; you are too just to impute to me

any misfortune that may attend him.

This discourse of the Indian very much surprised and afflicted the

king of Persia, who saw the danger his son was in to be inevitable,

if, as the Indian said, there was another secret to bring him back

again, that was different from that which carried him away; and

asked, in a passion, why he did not call him back the moment he went.

Sir, answered the Indian, your majesty saw as well as I with what

swiftness the horse and the prince flew away. The surprise I was

then, and still am in, deprived me of the use of my speech; and, if

I could have spoken, he was got too far to hear me. If he had heard

me, he knew not the secret to bring him back, which, through his

impatience, he would not stay to learn. But, sir, added he, there is

room to hope that the prince, when he finds himself at a loss, will

perceive another peg, and, as soon as he turns that, the horse will

cease to rise, and will descend to the ground, and he may turn him

to what place he pleases by guiding him with the bridle.

Notwithstanding all these arguments of the Indian, which carried

great appearance of probability, the king of Persia was terribly

frightened at the evident danger his son was in. I suppose, replied

he, it is very uncertain whether my son perceives the other peg, and

makes a right use of it: may not the horse, instead of lighting on

the ground, fall upon some rock, or tumble into the sea with him?

Sir, replied the Indian, I can deliver your majesty from this

apprehension, by assuring you that the horse crosses seas without

ever falling into them, and always carries his rider wherever he has

a mind to go. And your majesty may assure yourself, that, if the

prince does not find out the other peg which I mentioned, the horse

will carry him where he pleases to go. It is not to be supposed he

will go any where but where he can find assistance, and make himself

known.

Be it as it will, replied the king of Persia, as I cannot depend

upon the assurance you give me, your head shall answer for my

son’s life, if he does not return safe and sound in three days’

time, or that I can certainly hear that he is alive. Then he ordered

his officers to secure his person, and keep him close prisoner;

after which he retired to his palace, extremely grieved that the

feast of Nevrouz should afford him and his court so much sorrow.

In the mean time prince Firouz Schah was carried through the air

with prodigious swiftness, as was said before; and in less than an

hour’s time he had got so high, that he could not distinguish any

thing on the earth, but mountains and plains seemed confounded

together. It was then he began to think of returning from whence he

came, and thought to do it by turning the same peg the contrary way,

and pulling the bridle at the same time. But when he found that the

horse still rose with the same swiftness, his astonishment was

extremely great. He turned the peg several times, one way and the

other, but all in vain. It was then he grew sensible of his fault,

in not taking the necessary precautions to guide the horse, before

he mounted him. He immediately apprehended the great danger he was

in, but that apprehension did not deprive him of his reason. He

examined the horse’s head and neck with great attention, and

perceived behind the horse’s right ear another peg, smaller and

less discernible than the other. He turned that peg, and presently

perceived that he descended in the same oblique manner as he

mounted, but not so swiftly.

Night had overshadowed almost half an hour that part of the earth

over which the prince then was, when he found out and turned the

small peg; and as the horse descended, he by degrees lost sight of

the sun, till it grew quite dark; insomuch that, instead of choosing

what place he would go to, he was forced to let the bridle lie upon

the horse’s neck, and wait patiently till he alighted, though not

without the dread lest it should be in the desert, a river, or the

sea.

At last the horse alighted and stopped after midnight, and prince

Firouz Schah dismounted, very faint and hungry, having eaten nothing

since the morning when he came out of the palace with his father to

assist at the festival. The first thing he had to do in the darkness

of the night was to endeavour to find out where he was; when he

found himself to be on the terrace of a magnificent palace,

surrounded with a balustrade of white marble, breast high; and

groping about, found a pair of stairs which led down into the

palace, the door of which was half open.

None but prince Firouz Schah would have ventured to go down those

stairs, so dark as it was, and in the danger he exposed himself to

from friends or foes. But no consideration could stop him. I do not

come, said he to himself, to do any body any harm; and certainly,

whoever meets or sees me first, and finds that I have no arms in my

hands, will not attempt any thing against my life, before they hear

what I have to say for myself. After this reflection he opened the

door wider, without making any noise, and went softly down the

stairs, that he might not awaken any body; and when he came to a

landing place on the staircase, he found the door of a great hall,

that had a light in it, open.

The prince stopped at the door, and listening, heard no other noise

than the snoring of some people who were fast asleep. He advanced a

little into the room, and, by the light of a lantern, saw that those

persons whom he heard snore were black eunuchs, with naked sabres

laid by them; which was enough to inform him that this was the guard

chamber of some queen or princess: which latter it proved to be.

In the next room to this the princess lay, as appeared by the light

he saw, the door being open, through a thin silken curtain, which

drew before the door-way, whither prince Firouz Schah advanced on

tip-toe, without waking the eunuchs. He put by the curtain, and went

in; and without staying to observe the magnificence of the chamber,

which was what he did not much regard, he gave his attention to

something of greater importance. He saw a great many beds; only one

of them on a sofa, the rest on the floor. The princess lay in the

first, and her women in the others.

This distinction was enough to direct the prince in his choice. He

crept softly to the bed without waking either the princess or her

women, and beheld a beauty so extraordinary and surprising, that he

was charmed and inflamed with love at the first sight. O heavens!

said he to himself, has my fate brought me hither to deprive me of

my liberty, which hitherto I have always preserved? How can I avoid

a certain slavery, when those eyes shall open, since without doubt,

they complete the lustre of this assemblage of charms? I must

quickly resolve; since I cannot stir without being my own murderer;

for so has necessity ordained.

After these reflections on his situation, and on the princess’s

beauty, and examining the condition of his heart, he fell on his

knees, and taking hold of the princess’s shift sleeve, out of

which came an arm as white as snow, pulled it gently towards him.

The princess opened her eyes, and seeing a handsome, well-shaped,

comely man on his knees, she was in great surprise; yet seemed to

show no sign of fear.

The prince made use of this favourable moment, bowed his head down

to the ground, and, rising, said, Respectable princess, by the most

extraordinary and wonderful adventure imaginable, you see here at

your feet a suppliant prince, the son of the king of Persia, who was

yesterday morning with his father in his court, at the celebration

of a solemn feast, and is now in a strange country, in danger of his

life, if you have not the goodness and generosity to give him your

assistance and protection. These I implore, adorable princess, with

the confidence that you will not refuse me. I have the more ground

to persuade myself that so much beauty and majesty, and such charms,

cannot entertain the least inhumanity.

This princess, to whom prince Firouz Schah so happily addressed

himself, was the princess of Bengal, eldest daughter of the king of

that kingdom, who had built this palace a small distance from his

capital, whither she went to take the benefit of the country. After

she had heard the prince with all the candour he could desire, she

replied with equal goodness, Prince, you are not in a barbarous

country; take courage: hospitality, humanity, and politeness, are to

be met with in the kingdom of Bengal, as well as in that of Persia.

It is not I who grant you the protection you ask; you not only have

found it in my palace, but throughout the whole kingdom; you may

believe me, and depend upon what I say.

The prince of Persia would have thanked the princess of Bengal for

her civility, and the favour she did him, and had already bowed down

his head to return the compliment, but she would not give him leave

to speak. Notwithstanding I desire, said she, to know by what

miracle you have come hither from the capital of Persia in so short

a time, and by what enchantment you have been able to penetrate so

far as to come to my apartment, and to have deceived the vigilance

of my guards, yet as it is impossible but you must want some

refreshment, and looking upon you as a welcome guest, I will wave my

curiosity, and give orders to my women to regale you, and show you

an apartment, that you may rest yourself after your fatigue, and be

better able to satisfy my curiosity.

The princess’s women, who awaked at the first words which the

prince addressed to the princess, were in the utmost surprise to see

a man at the princess’s bolster, as they could not conceive how he

got thither without waking them or the eunuchs. They no sooner

comprehended the princess’s intentions, than they dressed

themselves presently, and were ready to obey her commands, as soon

as she gave them. They each took a wax candle, of which there were

great numbers lighted up in the room; and after the prince had taken

leave very respectfully, they went before him, and conducted him

into a handsome chamber; where, while some were preparing the bed,

others went into the kitchen; and notwithstanding it was so

unseasonable an hour, they did not make prince Firouz Schah wait

long, but brought him presently all sorts of meat; and when he had

eaten as much as he chose, they removed the table, and left him to

taste the sweets of repose, after showing him several presses, where

he might find whatever he wanted.

In the mean time, the princess of Bengal was so struck with the

charms, wit, politeness, and other good qualities which she

discovered in that short conversation with the prince, that she

could not sleep: but when her women came into her room to go to bed,

again asked them if they had taken care of him, and if he wanted any

thing; and particularly what they thought of him.

The women, after they had satisfied her as to the first articles,

answered as to the last: We do not know what you may think of him,

but, for our parts, we think you would be very happy if the king

your father would marry you to so amiable a prince; for there is not

a prince in all the kingdom of Bengal to be compared to him; nor can

we hear that any of the neighbouring princes are worthy of you.

This flattering discourse was not displeasing to the princess of

Bengal; but as she had no mind to declare her sentiments to them,

she imposed silence upon them, telling them they talked without

reflection, bidding them to go to bed and let her sleep.

The next day, the first thing the princess did as soon as she was

up, was to sit down to her toilet. She took more pains in dressing

and adjusting herself at the glass than ever she had done in her

life. She never had tried her women’s patience so much before, by

making them do and undo the same thing several times: Certainly,

said she to herself, if the prince, as I perceive, was taken with me

in my dishabille, he will be charmed with me when I am dressed. She

adorned her head, neck, arms, and waist, with the finest and largest

diamonds she had. The habit she made use of was one of the richest

stuffs of the Indies, of a most beautiful colour, and made only for

kings, princes, and princesses. After she had consulted her glass a

long time, and asked her women, one after another, if any thing was

wanting to her attire, she sent to know if the prince of Persia was

awake; and as she never doubted but that, if he was up and dressed,

he would ask leave to come and pay his respects to her, she charged

the messenger to tell him she would make him the visit, and she had

her reasons for this.

The prince of Persia, who by that night’s rest had recovered the

fatigue he had undergone the day before, had just dressed himself,

when he received the princess of Bengal’s compliments by one of

her women. Without giving the lady who brought the message leave to

communicate it, he asked her if it was proper for him then to go and

pay his respects to the princess; and when the lady had acquitted

herself of the errand, he replied, it shall be as the princess

thinks fit; I came here to be solely at her pleasure.

As soon as the princess of Bengal understood that the prince of

Persia waited for her, she immediately went to pay him a visit.

After mutual compliments on both sides, the prince asking pardon for

having waked the princess out of a profound sleep, and the princess

inquiring after his health, and how he rested, the princess sat down

on a sofa, as did also the prince, though at some distance, out of

respect.

Then the princess, resuming the discourse, said, I would have

received you, prince, in the chamber in which you found me in bed

last night; but as the chief of my eunuchs has the liberty of coming

into it, and never comes further without my leave, through my

impatience to hear the surprising adventure which procures me the

happiness of seeing you, I chose to come hither, that we may not be

interrupted; therefore I beg of you to give me that satisfaction,

which will highly oblige me.

Prince Firouz Schah, to gratify the princess of Bengal, began his

discourse with the solemn and annual feast of the Nevrouz, relating

all the sights worthy of her curiosity, which had amazed the court

of Persia and the whole town of Schiraz. Afterwards he came to the

enchanted horse; the description of which, with the account of the

wonders the Indian performed on him before so august an assembly,

convinced the princess that nothing of that kind could be imagined

more surprising in the world. You may well think, charming princess,

continued the prince of Persia, that the king my father, who cares

not what he gives for any thing that is rare and curious, would be

very desirous to purchase such a horse, as indeed he was. He asked

the Indian what he would have for him; who made him an extravagant

reply, telling him, that he had not bought him, but taken him in

exchange for his only daughter, and could not part with him but on

the like condition, which was, to have his consent to marry the

princess my sister.

The crowd of courtiers, who stood about the king my father, hearing

the extravagance of this proposal, laughed loudly at it; and I, for

my part, conceived so great indignation, that I could not disguise

it; and the more, because I saw that the king my father was

considering with himself what answer he should give him. In short, I

believe he would have granted him what he asked, if I had not in the

most lively terms represented to him how injurious it would be to

his honour; yet my remonstrance could not bring him entirely to quit

his design of sacrificing the princess my sister to so despicable a

person. He fancied he should bring me over to his opinion, if once I

could comprehend, as he imagined he did, the singular worth of his

horse. With this view he would have me look at him, and mount him,

and make a trial of him myself.

To please my father, I mounted the horse, and as soon as I was upon

his back I put my hand upon a peg, as I had seen the Indian do

before me, to make the horse mount into the air, never staying to

take instructions of the owner. The instant I touched the peg, the

horse mounted with me into the air as swift as an arrow shot out of

a bow, and I was presently at such a distance from the earth that I

could not distinguish any object. By the swiftness of the motion I

was for some time unapprehensive of the danger to which I was

exposed; but when I grew sensible of it, I endeavoured to turn the

peg the contrary way. But the experiment would not answer my

expectation, and still the horse mounted with me, and carried me a

greater distance from the earth. At last I perceived another peg,

which I turned, and then I grew sensible that the horse declined

towards the earth, and presently found myself so surrounded with

darkness, that it was impossible for me to guide the horse. In this

condition I laid the bridle on his neck, and trusted myself to the

will of God to dispose of my fate.

Not long after the horse alighted, and I got off his back, and

examining whereabouts I might be, perceived myself on the terrace of

this palace, and found the door of the staircase half open. I came

softly down the stairs, and seeing a door open by a small light, put

my head into the room, and saw some eunuchs asleep, and a great

light in another room. The necessity I was under, notwithstanding

the inevitable danger I was threatened with, if the eunuchs had

waked, inspired me with the boldness, or rather rashness, to cross

that room to get to the other.

It is needless, princess, added the prince, to tell you the rest,

since you are not unacquainted with all that passed afterwards. But

I am obliged in duty to thank you for your goodness and generosity,

and to beg of you to let me know how I may show my gratitude.

According to the law of nations, I am already your slave, and cannot

make you an offer of my person; there only remains my heart: but,

alas! princess, what do I say? My heart is no longer my own; your

charms have forced it from me, but in such a manner, as I will never

ask for it again, but yield it up: give me leave, therefore, to

declare you mistress both of my heart and inclination.

These last words of the prince Firouz Schah were pronounced with

such an air and tone, that the princess of Bengal never doubted a

moment of the effect she expected from her charms; neither did she

seem to resent the precipitate declaration of the prince of Persia.

Her blushes served but to heighten her beauty, and render her more

amiable in the eyes of the prince.

As soon as she had recovered herself, she replied, prince, you have

given me a sensible pleasure by telling me those surprising,

wonderful things. But, on the other hand, I can hardly forbear

shuddering, when I think on the height you was in the air; and

though I have the good fortune to see you here safe and well, I was

in pain till you came to that part where the Indian horse alighted

on my palace leads. The same thing might have happened in a thousand

other places. I am glad that chance has given me the preference to

the whole world, and the opportunity of letting you know that it

could not have conducted you to any place where you could have been

received more agreeably, and with greater pleasure.

But prince, continued she, I should think myself offended, if I

believed that the thought you mentioned of being my slave was

serious, and that it did not proceed from your politeness rather

than from a sincerity of sentiment; for, by the reception I gave you

yesterday, you might assure yourself, you are here as much at

liberty as in the midst of the court of Persia.

As to your heart, added the princess of Bengal, in a tone which

showed nothing less than a refusal, as I am persuaded that you have

not lived so long without disposing of it, and that you could not

fail of making choice of a princess who deserves it, I should be

very sorry to give you an occasion to be guilty of infidelity to her.

Prince Firouz Schah would have protested, that when he left Persia,

he was master of his own heart: but, at that instant, one of the

princess’s ladies in waiting came to tell her that dinner was

served up.

This interruption delivered the prince and princess from an

explanation, which would have been equally embarrassing to both of

them, and of which they stood not in need. The princess of Bengal

was fully convinced of the prince of Persia’s sincerity; and the

prince, though the princess had not explained herself, judged

nevertheless by some words she let fall, and the favourable manner

she heard him, that he had no reason to complain.

As the lady held the door open, the princess of Bengal said to the

prince of Persia, rising off her seat, as he did also from his, I am

not used to dine so early; but as I fancied you might have had but

an indifferent supper last night, I ordered dinner to be got ready

sooner than ordinary. After this compliment, she led him into a

magnificent hall, where a table was laid, and set off with great

plenty of choice and excellent viands; and as soon as they were sat

down, a great many beautiful slaves of the princess, richly dressed,

began a most agreeable concert of vocal and instrumental music,

which lasted the whole time of dinner.

This concert was so sweet and well managed, that it did not in the

least interrupt the prince and princess’s conversation. All

dinner-time their sole concern was to help and invite each other to

eat: the prince, for his part, served the princess with the choicest

of every thing, and strove to outdo her in civility, both by words

and actions, which she returned again, with a great many new

compliments: and in this reciprocal commerce of mutual civilities

and attentions, love made a greater progress in both, than a

concerted interview would have promoted.

When they rose from the table, the princess carried the prince into

a large and magnificent closet, finely embellished with paintings in

blue and gold, of a just symmetry, and richly furnished; there they

both sat down upon a sofa, which afforded a most agreeable prospect

into the palace garden, which prince Firouz Schah admired for the

vast variety of flowers, shrubs, and trees, which were full as

beautiful as those of Persia, but quite different. Here taking the

opportunity of entering into a conversation with the princess, he

said, I always believed, madam, that no part of the world but Persia

afforded such stately palaces and beautiful gardens; but now I see

that other great monarchs know as well how to build mansions

suitable to their power and greatness; and if there is a difference

in the manner of building, there is none in the grandeur and

magnificence.

Prince, replied the princess of Bengal, as I have no idea of the

palaces of Persia, I cannot judge of the comparison you have made of

mine, to tell you my opinion of it. But however sincere you seem to

be, I can hardly think it just, but rather incline to believe it a

compliment: I will not despise my palace before you: you have too

good an eye, too good a taste, not to form a sound judgment. But I

assure you I find it very indifferent, when I compare it with the

king my father’s, which far exceeds it for grandeur, beauty, and

richness: you shall tell me yourself what you think of it, when you

have seen it; for since a chance has brought you so nigh to the

capital of this kingdom, I do not doubt but you will see it, and

make my father a visit, that he may pay you all the honour due to a

prince of your rank and merit.

The princess flattered herself, that by exciting in the prince of

Persia a curiosity to see the Palace of Bengal, and to visit her

father in it, the king, seeing him so handsome, wise, and

accomplished a prince, might perhaps resolve to propose an alliance

with him, by offering her to him as a wife. And as she was well

persuaded she was not indifferent to the prince, and that he would

be pleased with the proposal, she hoped to attain to the utmost of

her wishes, and preserve all the decorum becoming a princess, who

would appear resigned to the will of her king and father; but the

prince of Persia did not return her an answer according to her

expectations.

Princess, replied the prince, the preference which you give to the

king of Bengal’s palace to your own, is enough for me to believe

it much exceeds it: but as to the proposal of my going and paying my

respects to the king your father, I should not only do myself a

pleasure, but an honour. But judge, princess, yourself, would you

advise me to present myself before so great a monarch, like an

adventurer, without attendants, and a train agreeable to my rank?

Prince, replied the princess, let not that give you any pain; if you

will but go, you shall want no money to have what train and

attendants you please: I will furnish you; and we have traders here

of all nations in great numbers, and you may make what choice you

please, to form your household.

Prince Firouz Schah penetrated into the princess of Bengal’s

intention, and this sensible mark she gave him of her love, still

augmented his passion, which, notwithstanding its violence, made him

not forget his duty. But without any hesitation he replied,

Princess, I should most willingly accept of the obliging offer you

make me, for which I cannot enough show my gratitude, if the

uneasiness my father must feel on account of my absence did not

prevent me. I should be unworthy of the goodness and tenderness he

has always had for me, if I should not return as soon as possible to

calm his fears. I know him so well, that while I have the happiness

of enjoying the conversation of so lovely a princess, I am persuaded

that he is plunged into the deepest grief, and has lost all hopes of

seeing me again. I hope you will do me the justice to believe, that

I cannot, without ingratitude, and being guilty of a crime, dispense

with going to restore to him that life, which a too long deferred

return may have endangered.

After this, princess, continued the prince of Persia, if you will

permit me, and think me worthy to aspire to the happiness of

becoming your husband, as the king my father has always declared

that he never would constrain me in my choice, I should find it no

difficult matter to get leave to return, not as a stranger, but as a

prince, to contract an alliance with him by our marriage; and I am

persuaded that he will be overjoyed when I tell him with what

generosity you received me, though a stranger in distress.

The princess of Bengal was too sensible, after what the prince of

Persia had said, to insist any longer in persuading him to pay a

visit to the king of Bengal, or to ask any thing contrary to his

duty and honour. But she was very much alarmed to find that he

thought of so sudden a departure; fearing, that if he took his leave

of her so soon, instead of remembering his promise, he would forget

her when he ceased to see her. To divert him from it, she said to

him, Prince, my intention of proposing a visit to my father was not

to oppose so just an excuse as that you give me, and which I did not

foresee. I should have rendered myself an accomplice of the crime,

had I thought of it, but I cannot approve of your thinking to go so

soon as you propose; at least, grant me the favour I ask, of a

little longer acquaintance; and since I have had the happiness to

have you alight in the kingdom of Bengal, rather than in the midst

of a desert, or on the top of some steep craggy rock, from which it

would have been impossible for you to descend, I desire you will

stay long enough to enable you to give a better account at the court

of Persia of what you have seen here.

The sole end the princess of Bengal had in this discourse was, that

the prince of Persia, by a longer stay, might become insensibly more

passionately enamoured of her charms, hoping thereby that his ardent

desire of returning would diminish, and then he might be brought to

appear in public, and pay a visit to the king of Bengal. The prince

of Persia could not well refuse her the favour she asked, after the

kind reception she had given him: but was so complaisant as to

comply with her request; and the princess’s thoughts were only how

to render his stay agreeable by all the diversions she could imagine.

Nothing went forward for several days but festivals and balls, and

concerts of music, accompanied with magnificent feasts, and

collations, walks in the gardens, or hunting-parties in the

palace-park, which abounded with all sorts of game, stags, hinds,

and fallow-deer, and other beasts peculiar to the kingdom of Bengal,

which the princess could pursue without danger. After the chase, the

prince and princess met in some beautiful spot in the park, where a

carpet was spread, and cushions laid for their accommodation. There

resting themselves, after their violent exercise, and recovering

themselves, they conversed on various subjects. The princess took

great pains to turn the conversation on the grandeur, power, riches,

and government of Persia; that from prince Firouz Schah’s

discourse she might have an opportunity to talk of the kingdom of

Bengal, and its advantages, and engage him to resolve to make a

longer stay there; but she was disappointed in her expectations.

In short, the prince of Persia, without the least exaggerations,

gave so advantageous an account of the extent of the kingdom of

Persia, its magnificence and riches, its military force, its

commerce by sea and land with the remote parts of the world, some of

which were unknown to him; the vast number of large cities it

contained, almost as populous as that which the king had chosen for

his residence, where he had palaces furnished ready to receive him

at all seasons of the year, so that he had his choice always to

enjoy a perpetual spring; that before he had done, the princess

found the kingdom of Bengal to be very much inferior to that of

Persia, in a great many instances. When he had finished his

relation, he begged of her to entertain him with a description of

Bengal; which, after a great deal of entreaty from the prince, she

complied with.

The princess gave prince Firouz Schah that satisfaction; but by

lessening a great many advantages the kingdom of Bengal was well

known to have over that of Persia, she let him know the disposition

she felt to accompany him, so that he believed she would consent at

the first proposition he should make; but he thought it would not be

proper to make it till he had showed her so much complaisance as to

stay with her long enough to make the blame fall on her, in case she

wished to detain him longer from returning to his father, as he was

in duty bound to do.

Two whole months the prince Firouz Schah abandoned himself entirely

to the will of the princess of Bengal, yielding to all the

amusements she contrived for him, for she neglected nothing to

divert him, as if she thought he had nothing else to do but to pass

his whole life with her in this manner. But after that time, he

declared seriously he could not stay any longer, and begged of her

to give him leave to return to his father; repeating again the

promise he had made her to return soon in a style worthy of her and

himself, and to demand her in form in marriage of the king of Bengal.

And princess, replied the prince of Persia, that you may not suspect

the truth of what I say; and that by my asking this leave, you may

not rank me among those false lovers who forget the objects of their

love as soon as they are absent from them; but to show that my

passion is real, and not feigned, and that life cannot be pleasant

to me when absent from so lovely a princess, whose love to me I

cannot doubt is mutual; I would presume, if I was not afraid you

would be offended at my request, to ask the favour of taking you

along with me.

As the prince Firouz Schah saw that the princess blushed at these

last words, and that without any mark of anger she hesitated at the

step she should take, he proceeded, and said, Princess, as for the

king my father’s consent, and the reception he will give you, I

venture to assure you he will receive you with pleasure into his

alliance; and as for the king of Bengal, after all the love and

tender regard he has always expressed for you, he must be the

reverse of what you have described him, an enemy to your repose and

happiness, if he should not receive in a friendly manner the embassy

which my father will send to him for his approbation of our marriage.

The princess of Bengal returned no answer to this discourse of the

prince of Persia; but her silence, and eyes cast down, were

sufficient to inform him that she had no reluctance to accompany him

into Persia, but consented. The only difficulty she had was, that

the prince knew not well enough how to govern the horse, and she was

apprehensive of being involved with him in the same difficulty as

when he made the experiment. But the prince soon removed her fear by

assuring her she might trust herself with him, for that after the

experience he had had, he defied the Indian himself to manage him

better. She thought therefore only of concerting measures to get off

with him so secretly, that nobody belonging to the palace should

have the least suspicion of their design.

The next morning, a little before daybreak, when all in the palace

were asleep, they went upon the terrace of the palace. The prince

turned the horse towards Persia, and placed him where the princess

could easily get up behind him; which she had no sooner done, and

was well settled with her arms about his waist, for her better

security, but he turned the peg, and the horse mounted into the air,

and making his usual haste, under the guidance of the prince, in two

hours’ time the prince discovered the capital of Persia.

He would not alight at the great square from whence he set out, nor

in the sultan’s palace, but directed his course towards a

pleasure-house at a little distance from the town. He led the

princess into a handsome apartment, where he told her, that to do

her all the honour that was due to her, he would go and inform his

father of their arrival, and return to her immediately. He ordered

the housekeeper of the palace, who was then present, to provide the

princess with what ever she had occasion for.

After the prince had taken his leave of the princess, he ordered a

horse to be saddled, which he mounted, after sending back the

housekeeper to the princess with orders to provide her breakfast

immediately, and then set forwards for the palace. As he passed

through the streets, he was received with acclamations by the

people, who were overjoyed to see him again. The sultan his father

was giving audience, when he appeared before him in the midst of his

council, who, as well as the sultan and the whole court, had been in

mourning ever since he had been absent. The sultan received him, and

embracing him with tears of joy and tenderness, asked him, What was

become of the Indian’s horse?

This question gave the prince an opportunity to tell him the

embarrassment and danger he was in when the horse mounted into the

air with him, and how he arrived at last at the princess of

Bengal’s palace, with the kind reception he met with there: that

the motive which obliged him to stay so long with her, was, the

complaisance she had shown not to disoblige him, so that after

promising to marry her, he had persuaded her to come with him into

Persia. But, sir, added the prince, I have promised that you would

not refuse your consent, and have brought her with me on the

Indian’s horse, to a palace where your majesty often goes for your

pleasure; and have left her there, till I could return and assure

her that my promise was not in vain.

After these words, the prince prostrated himself before the sultan

to gain his consent, but his father raised him up, embraced him a

second time, and said to him, Son, I not only consent to your

marriage with the princes of Bengal, but will go and meet her

myself, and thank her for the obligation I in particular have to

her, and will bring her to my palace, and celebrate your nuptials

this day.

Then the sultan gave orders for his court to go out of mourning, and

make preparations for the princess’s entry; that the rejoicings

should begin with a grand concert of military music, and that the

Indian should be fetched out of prison and brought before him. When

the Indian was brought before the sultan, he said to him, I secured

thy person, that thy life, though not a sufficient victim to my rage

and grief, might answer for that of the prince my son, whom, thanks

to God! I have found again: go, take your horse, and never let me

see your face more.

As the Indian had learned of those who fetched him out of prison,

that prince Firouz Schah was returned, and had brought a princess

behind him on his horse, and was also informed of the place where he

had alighted and left her, and that the sultan was making

preparations to go and bring her to his palace; as soon as he got

out of the sultan’s presence, he bethought himself of being

beforehand with him and the prince; and, without losing any time,

went directly to the palace, and addressing himself to the

housekeeper, told him, he came from the sultan and prince of Persia,

to fetch the princess of Bengal, and to carry her behind him through

the air to the sultan, who waited in the great square of his palace

to gratify the whole court and city of Schiraz with that wonderful

sight.

The housekeeper, who knew the Indian, and that the sultan had

imprisoned him, gave the more credit to what he said, because he saw

that he was at liberty. He presented him to the princess of Bengal;

who no sooner understood that he came from the prince of Persia,

than she consented to what that prince, as she thought, desired of

her.

The Indian, overjoyed at his success, and the ease with which he had

accomplished his villany, mounted his horse, took the princess

behind him, with the assistance of the housekeeper, turned the peg,

and presently the horse mounted into the air with him and the

princess.

At the same time the sultan of Persia, followed by his court, was on

the road from his own palace to the palace where the princess of

Bengal was left, and the prince of Persia was advanced before, to

prepare the princess of Bengal to receive him, when the Indian to

brave them both, and revenge himself for the ill-treatment he had

received, as he pretended, passed over their heads with his prize.

When the sultan of Persia saw the ravisher, he stopped. His surprise

and affliction was the more sensible, because it was not in his

power to make him repent of so high an affront. He loaded him with a

thousand imprecations, as also did all the courtiers, who were

witnesses of so signal a piece of insolence and unparalleled villany.

The Indian, little moved with their curses, which just reached his

ears, continued his way; while the sultan, extremely mortified at so

great an injury, and to find he could not punish the author,

returned back to his palace.

But what was prince Firouz Schah’s grief to see the Indian carry

away the princess of Bengal, whom he loved so passionately, that he

could not live without her! At the sight of an object so little

expected, he was thunderstruck, and before he could deliberate with

himself whether he should let fly all the reproaches his rage could

invent against the Indian, or bewail the deplorable fate of the

princess, or ask her pardon for not taking better precaution to

preserve her, who had trusted herself to his care in a manner

sufficiently expressive of her love, the horse was out of sight. He

could not resolve what to do, whether he should return to the

sultan’s palace, and shut himself up in his apartment to give

himself entirely up to his affliction, without attempting to pursue

the ravisher, to deliver the princess, and punish him as he

deserved. But as his generosity, love, and courage, would not suffer

this, he continued on his way to the palace where he had left his

princess.

When he came there, the housekeeper, who was by this time convinced

of his credulity, and that he was deceived by the Indian, threw

himself at his feet with tears in his eyes, and accused himself of

the crime, which he thought he had committed, and condemned himself

to die by his hand. Rise up, said the prince to him, I do not impute

the loss of my princess to thee, but to my own simplicity. But not

to lose time, fetch me a dervise’s habit, and take care you do not

give the least hint that it is for me.

Not far from this palace there stood a convent of dervises, the

scheik or superior of which was the palace-keeper’s particular

friend. He went to this scheik, and telling him that a considerable

officer at court, and a man of worth, to whom he had been very much

obliged, and wished to favour, by giving him an opportunity to

withdraw from the sultan’s rage, he easily got a complete

dervise’s habit, and carried it to prince Firouz Schah. The prince

immediately pulled off his own clothes, and put it on; and being so

disguised, and provided with a box of jewels, which he had brought

as a present to the princess, he left the palace in the evening,

uncertain which way to go, but resolved not to return till he had

found out his princess, and brought her back again.

But to return to the Indian: he governed his enchanted horse so well

that day, that he arrived early in a wood, near the capital of the

kingdom of Caschmire. Being hungry, and concluding the princess was

also, he alighted in that wood, in an open part of it, and left the

princess on a grassy spot, by a rivulet of clear fresh water.

During the Indian’s absence, the princess of Bengal, who knew that

she was in the power of a base ravisher, whose violence she dreaded,

thought of getting from him, and seeking out some sanctuary. But as

she had scarce eaten any thing on her arrival at the pleasant palace

in the morning, she was so faint, that she could not execute her

design, but was forced to abandon it, and to stay where she was,

without any other resource than her courage, and a firm resolution

rather to suffer death, than be unfaithful to the prince of Persia.

When the Indian returned, she did not wait to be asked twice, but

ate with him, and recovered herself enough to answer with courage to

the insolent language he began to hold to her when they had done.

After a great many threats, as she saw that the Indian was preparing

to use violence, she rose up to make resistance, and, by her cries

and shrieks, drew about them a company of horsemen, which happened

to be the sultan of Caschmire and his attendants, who, as they were

returning from hunting, happily for the princess of Bengal, passed

through that part of the wood, and ran to her assistance, at the

noise she made.

The sultan addressed himself to the Indian, and asked him who he

was, and what he pretended to do with the lady? The Indian, with

great impudence, replied, that she was his wife; and what had any

one to do with his quarrel with her?

The princess, who neither knew the rank nor quality of the person

who came so seasonably to her relief, told the Indian he was a liar;

and said to the sultan, Sir, whoever you are that Heaven has sent to

my assistance, have compassion on a princess, and give no credit to

that impostor. Heaven forbid that I should be the wife of so vile

and despicable an Indian! a wicked magician, that hath taken me away

from the prince of Persia, to whom I was going to be married, and

hath brought me hither on the enchanted horse that you see.

The princess of Bengal had no occasion to say any more to persuade

the sultan of Caschmire that what she told him was truth. Her

beauty, majestic air, and tears, spoke sufficiently for her. The

sultan of Caschmire, justly enraged at the insolence of the Indian,

ordered his guards to surround him, and cut off his head; which

sentence was immediately executed, the more easily, as the Indian,

just released from prison, was unprovided with any weapon to defend

himself.

The princess, thus delivered from the persecution of the Indian,

fell into another no less afflicting to her. The sultan, after he

had ordered her a horse, carried her with him to his palace, where

he lodged her in the most magnificent apartment, next his own, and

gave her a great number of women-slaves to attend her, and a guard

of eunuchs. He led her himself into the apartment he assigned her;

where, without giving her time to thank him for the great obligation

she had to him, he said to her, As I am certain, princess, that you

must want rest, I will here take my leave of you till to-morrow,

when you will be better able to give me all the circumstances of

this strange adventure; and then left her.

The princess of Bengal’s joy was inexpressible to find she was so

soon freed from the violence of a man she could not look upon

without horror. She flattered herself that the sultan of Caschmire

would complete his generosity by sending her back to the prince of

Persia, when she told him her story, and asked that favour of him;

but she was very much deceived in these hopes, for the sultan of

Caschmire resolved to marry her the next day; and for that end had

ordered rejoicings to be made by daybreak, by beating of drums and

sounding of trumpets, and other instruments expressive of joy, which

not only echoed through the palace, but throughout the city.

The princess of Bengal was awakened by those tumultuous concerts,

but attributed them to a very different cause from the true one.

When the sultan of Caschmire, who had given orders that he should be

informed when the princess was ready to receive a visit, came to pay

her one; and when he had inquired after her health, he acquainted

her that all those rejoicings were to render their nuptials more

solemn, and, at the same time, desired her to approve of them. This

discourse put her into so great consternation that she fainted away.

The women-slaves who were present ran to her assistance; and the

sultan did all he could to bring her to herself again, though it was

a long time before they could. But when she recovered, rather than

break the promise she had made to prince Firouz Schah, by consenting

to marry the sultan of Caschmire, who had proclaimed their nuptials

before he had asked her consent, she resolved to feign madness. She

began to say the most extravagant things before the sultan, and even

rose off her seat to fly upon him; insomuch that the sultan was very

much surprised and afflicted that he had made such a proposal so

unseasonably.

When he found that her frenzy rather increased than abated, he left

her with her women, charging them never to leave her alone, but to

take great care of her. He sent often that day to know how she did,

but received no other answer but that she was rather worse than

better. In short, at night she seemed much worse than she had been

all day, insomuch that the sultan of Caschmire was disappointed of

the happiness he promised himself.

The princess of Bengal continued to talk wildly, and show other

marks of a disordered mind, next day and the following ones; so that

the sultan was obliged to send for all the physicians belonging to

his court, to consult them about her disease, and to ask them if

they could cure her.

The physicians all agreed that there were several sorts and degrees

of this distemper, some curable and others not; and told the sultan

that they could not judge of the princess of Bengal’s, unless they

saw her: upon which the sultan ordered the eunuchs to introduce them

into the princess’s chamber, one after another, according to their

rank.

The princess, who foresaw what would happen, and feared that, if she

let the physicians come near her to feel her pulse, the least

experienced of them would soon know that she was in a good state of

health, and that her madness was only feigned, flew into such a rage

and passion, that she was ready to tear out their eyes who came near

her; so none of them durst approach her.

Some of them, who pretended to be more skilful than the rest, and

boasted of judging of diseases only by sight, ordered her some

potions, which she made the less difficulty to take, well knowing

she could be sick or well at pleasure, and that they could do her no

harm.

When the sultan of Caschmire saw that his court physicians could not

cure her, he called in the most noted and experienced of the city,

who had all no better success. Afterwards he sent for the most

famous in the kingdom, who met with no better reception than the

others from the princess, and what they ordered had no better

effect. Afterwards he despatched expresses to the courts of

neighbouring princes, with the princess’s case, to be distributed

among the most famous physicians, with a promise of a handsome

reward to any of them who should come and cure the princess of

Bengal, besides travelling charges.

A great many physicians came from all parts, and undertook the cure;

but none of them could boast of better success than their fellows,

or of restoring the princess’s faculties, since it was a case that

did not depend on their skill, but on the will of the princess

herself.

During this interval, prince Firouz Schah, disguised in the habit of

a dervise, had travelled through a great many provinces and towns,

full of grief; and having endured a great deal of fatigue, not

knowing which way to direct his course, or if he did not take the

very opposite road from what he ought, to hear the tidings he

sought. He made diligent inquiry after her at every place he came

to, till at last, passing through a great town in India, he heard

the people talk very much of a princess of Bengal, who ran mad on

the day of the celebration of her nuptials with the sultan of

Caschmire. At the name of the princess of Bengal, and supposing that

there was no other princess of Bengal than her upon whose account he

undertook his travels, he set forwards for the kingdom of Caschmire,

on this common report; and on his arrival at the capital city, he

went and lodged at a khan, where the same day he was told the story

of the princess of Bengal, and the unhappy fate of the Indian, which

he richly deserved. By all the circumstances, the prince knew he

could not be deceived, but that she was the same princess he had

sought so long after.

The prince of Persia, being informed of all these particulars,

provided himself against the next day with a physician’s habit,

and, having let his beard grow during his travels, he passed for a

physician; and, through the greatness of his impatience to see the

princess, went to the sultan’s palace, where, presenting himself

to the chief of the officers, he told him that perhaps it might be

looked upon as a very bold undertaking in him to offer himself as a

physician to attempt the cure of the princess after so many had

failed; but that he hoped some specifics, which he had had great

experience of, and success from, would effect the cure. The chief of

the officers told him he was very welcome, that the sultan would

receive him with pleasure, and that if he should have the good

fortune to restore the princess to her former health, he might

expect a considerable reward from the sultan his master’s

liberality: Stay a moment, added he, I will come to you again

presently.

It had been a long time since any physician had offered himself; and

the sultan of Caschmire with great grief had begun to lose all hope

of ever seeing the princess of Bengal restored to her former health,

that he might marry her, and show how much he loved her. He ordered

the officer to introduce to him the physician he had announced.

The prince of Persia was presented to the sultan of Caschmire in the

habit and disguise of a physician; and the sultan, without wasting

time in superfluous discourse, after having told him the princess of

Bengal could not bear the sight of a physician without falling into

the most violent transports, which increased her distemper, carried

him into a closet, from whence, through a window, he might see her

without being seen.

There prince Firouz Schah saw his lovely princess sit carelessly

singing a song with tears in her eyes, in which she deplored her

unhappy fate, which deprived her, perhaps for ever, of the object

she loved so tenderly.

The prince was so sensibly affected at the melancholy condition he

found his dear princess in, that he wanted no other signs to

comprehend that her distemper was feigned, and that it was for love

of him that she was under so grievous a constraint. When he came out

of the closet, he told the sultan that he had discovered the nature

of the princess’s distemper, and that she was not incurable; but

added withal, that he must speak with her in private, and by

himself; and, notwithstanding her violent fits at the sight of

physicians, he hoped she would hear and receive him favourably.

The sultan ordered the princess’s chamber door to be opened, and

prince Firouz Schah went in. As soon as the princess saw him,

(taking him by his habit to be a physician) she rose up in a rage,

threatening him, and giving him the most abusive language. He made

directly towards her; and when he was nigh enough for her to hear

him, for he did not wish to be heard by any one else, he said to

her, in a low voice, and in a most respectful manner, to make her

believe him, Princess, I am not a physician, but the prince of

Persia, and am come to procure you your liberty.

The princess, who presently knew the sound of the voice, and the

upper features of his face, notwithstanding he had let his beard

grow so long, grew calm at once, and a secret joy and pleasure

overspread her face, the effect of seeing the person she so much

desired so unexpectedly. Her agreeable surprise deprived her for

some time of the use of her speech, and gave prince Firouz Schah

time to tell her as briefly as possible how despair seized him when

he saw the Indian carry her away; the resolution he took afterwards,

to leave every thing to find her out wherever she was, and never to

return home till he had found her, and forced her out of the hands

of the perfidious wretch; and by what good fortune at last, after a

long and fatiguing journey, he had the satisfaction to find her in

the palace of the sultan of Caschmire. He then desired the princess

to inform him of all that happened to her from the time she was

taken away till that moment when he had the happiness to converse

with her, telling her, that it was of the greatest importance to

know this, that he might take the most proper measures to deliver

her from the tyranny of the sultan of Caschmire.

The princess of Bengal told the prince how she was delivered from

the Indian’s violence by the sultan of Caschmire, as he was

returning home from hunting; but how ill she was treated the next

day, by a declaration he had made of his precipitate design to marry

her that very day, without the least civil office of asking her

consent; that this violent and tyrannical conduct put her into a

swoon; after which, she thought she had no other way than what she

had taken to preserve herself for a prince to whom she had given her

heart and faith, or die rather than marry the sultan, whom she

neither loved, nor ever could love.

Then the prince of Persia asked her if she knew what was become of

the horse after the Indian’s death. To which she answered, that

she knew not what orders the sultan had given about it; but

believed, after the account she had given him of it, he would take

care of it.

As prince Firouz Schah never doubted but that the sultan had the

horse, he communicated to the princess his design of making use of

it to carry them both back into Persia; and after they had consulted

together on the measures they were to take, and that nothing might

prevent the execution of them, they agreed that the princess should

dress herself the next day, and receive the sultan civilly when he

brought him to her, but without speaking to him.

The sultan of Caschmire was overjoyed when the prince of Persia gave

him an account what effect his first visit had towards the cure of

the princess of Bengal. And the next day, when the princess received

him after such a manner as persuaded him her cure was far advanced,

he looked upon him as the greatest physician in the world; and

seeing her in this state, contented himself with telling her how

rejoiced he was to see her so likely soon to recover her health

completely. He exhorted her to follow the directions of so

thoughtful a physician, to complete what he had so well begun; and

then retired, without waiting for her answer.

The prince of Persia, who attended the sultan of Caschmire out of

the princess’s chamber, as he accompanied him, asked him if,

without failing in due respect, he misfit inquire, How the princess

of Bengal came into the dominions of Caschmire thus alone, since her

own country lies so far off? This he said on purpose to introduce

some discourse about the enchanted horse, and to know what was

become of it.

The sultan of Caschmire, who could not penetrate into the prince of

Persia’s motive for asking that question, concealed nothing from

him; but told him much the same story as the princess of Bengal had

done; adding, that he had ordered the enchanted horse to be kept

safe in his treasury as a great curiosity, though he knew not the

use of it.

Sir, replied the pretended physician, the information which your

majesty gives me affords me a means of curing the princess. As she

was brought hither on this horse, and the horse is enchanted, she

hath contracted something of the enchantment, which can be

dissipated only by certain incense which I am acquainted with. If

your majesty would be pleased to entertain yourself, your court, and

the people of your capital, with the most surprising sight that ever

was seen, let the horse be brought into the great square before the

palace, and leave the rest to me. I promise to show you, and all

that assembly, in a few moments’ time, the princess of Bengal as

well in body and mind as ever she was in her life. But, the better

to effect what I propose, it would be proper that the princess

should be dressed as magnificently as possible, and adorned with the

best jewels your majesty has. The sultan would have undertaken much

more difficult things to have arrived at the enjoyment of his

desires, as he expected to do soon.

The next day the enchanted horse was, by his order, taken out of the

treasury, and placed early in the great square before the palace. A

report was spread through the town, that there was something

extraordinary to be seen, and crowds of people flocked thither from

all parts, insomuch that the sultan’s guards were placed to

prevent disorder, and to keep space enough round the horse.

The sultan of Caschmire, surrounded with all his nobles and

ministers of state, was placed on a scaffold erected on purpose. The

princess of Bengal, attended by a vast number of ladies which the

sultan had assigned her, went up to the enchanted horse, and the

women helped her to get upon its back. When she was fixed in the

saddle, and had the bridle in her hand, the pretended physician

placed round the horse a great many vessels full of fire, which he

had ordered to be brought, and going round it, he cast a strong and

grateful perfume into those pots; then, collected in himself, with

downcast eyes, and his hands upon his breast, he ran three times

about the horse, making as if he pronounced certain words. The

moment the pots sent forth a dark cloud of pleasant smell, which so

surrounded the princess, that neither she nor the horse were to be

discerned, watching his opportunity, the prince jumped nimbly up

behind her, and, reaching his hand to the peg, turned it; and just

as the horse rose with them into the air, he pronounced these words,

which the sultan heard distinctly: Sultan of Caschmire, when you

would marry princesses who implore your protection, learn first to

obtain their consent.

Thus the prince of Persia recovered and delivered the princess of

Bengal, and carried her that same day to the capital of Persia,

where he alighted in the midst of the palace, before the king his

father’s apartment, who deferred the solemnization of the marriage

no longer than till he could make the preparations necessary to

render the ceremony pompous and magnificent, and express the

interest he took in it.

After the days appointed for the rejoicing were over, the king of

Persia’s first care was to name and appoint an ambassador to go to

give the king of Bengal an account of what was past, and to demand

his approbation and ratification of the alliance contracted by this

marriage; which the king of Bengal took as an honour, and granted

with great pleasure and satisfaction.