himself to king Beder. From what I have understood, nephew, said he, you
heard that which the queen your mother and I discoursed the other day of
the princess Giahaure. It was not our intention you should have known any
thing, and we verily thought you were asleep. My dear uncle, replied king
Beder, I heard every word you said, and have sufficiently experienced the
effect you foretold; which it was not in your power to prevent. I
detained you on purpose to acquaint you with my love before your
departure; but the confusion I had to let you know my weakness, if it be
any to love so worthy a princess as this seems to be, altogether sealed
my mouth. I beseech you then, by the friendship you profess for a prince
that has the honour to be so nearly allied to you, that you would pity
me, and not delay to procure me the consent of the king of Samarcand,
that I may marry his daughter, the adorable Giahaure, with all speed,
unless you have a mind to see me die with love before I have the sight of
her.
These words of the king of Persia troubled king Saleh very much: he gave
him to understand how difficult it was to give him the satisfaction he
desired, and that he could not well do it without carrying him along with
him; which might be of dangerous consequences, since his presence was so
absolutely necessary in his kingdom, that the least absence might
occasion his subjects to revolt. He conjured him, therefore, to moderate
his passion till such time as he had put things into a better posture;
assuring him he would use his utmost diligence to content him, and, when
he had brought matters to bear, he would come to acquaint him. But these
reasons were not sufficient to satisfy the king of Persia. Cruel uncle,
said he, I find you do not love me so much as you pretended, and that you
had rather see me die than grant the first request that ever I made you.
I am ready to convince your majesty, replied king Saleh, that I would do
any thing to serve you in reason; but as for carrying you along with me,
I cannot do that till I have spoken to the queen your mother. What would
she say if I should do this? If she consents, I am ready to do all you
would have me. You cannot be ignorant, replied the king of Persia, that
the queen my mother would never willingly part with me; and therefore
this excuse of yours does but yet farther convince me of the hardness of
your heart. If you do really love me, as you would have me to believe you
do, you must return to your kingdom immediately, and carry me along with
you.
King Saleh, finding himself in a manner obliged to yield to his nephew’s
importunity, drew a ring off his finger, which was engraved with the same
mysterious names of God that were upon Solomon’s seal, that had wrought
so many wonders by their virtue. Here, take this ring, said he, put it
upon your finger, and fear neither the waters of the sea, nor their
depth. The king of Persia took the ring, and when he had put it on his
finger, king Saleh said unto him, Follow me; when, at the same time, they
both mounted leisurely up into the air, and made towards the sea, which
was not far off, whereinto they jointly plunged.
The sea-king was not long in going to his palace with the king of Persia,
whom he immediately carried to the queen’s apartment, and presented him
to her. The king of Persia kissed the queen his grandmother’s hands, and
she embraced him with great demonstrations of joy. I do not ask you how
you do, said she to him, I see you are well enough, and I am rejoiced at
it; but I desire to know how my daughter and your mother queen Gulnare
does. The king of Persia took great care not to let her know he came
without her consent; and therefore told her the queen his mother was in
perfect health, and had enjoined him to pay her duty to her. Then the
queen presented him to the princesses; and while he was in conversation
with them, she left him, and went with king Saleh into a closet. He there
told her how the king of Persia was fallen in love with the princess
Giahaure, upon the bare relation of her beauty; and, contrary to his
intention, that he had brought him along with him, without being able to
hinder it, and that he was going to concert measures to procure the
princess for him in marriage.
Although king Saleh was, to do him justice, perfectly innocent of the
king of Persia’s passion, yet the queen could hardly forgive his
indiscretion, in mentioning the princess Giahaure before him. Your
imprudence is beyond parallel, said she to him: can you think that the
king of Samarcand, whose character is so well known, will have greater
consideration for you than the many other kings he has refused his
daughter to with scorn and contempt? Would you have him send you away
with the same confusion he has done them?
Madam, replied king Saleh, I have told you it was contrary to my
intention that the king my nephew heard what I related of the beauty of
the princess Giahaure to the queen my sister. The fault, if it be one, is
already committed; and we must consider what a violent passion he has for
this princess, and that he will die with grief and affliction if we do
not speedily obtain her for him, with whatever trouble we are to do it.
For my part, I shall omit nothing that may contribute to it, since I was,
though innocently, the cause of the malady: I will therefore do all that
I can to remedy it. I hope, madam, you will approve of my resolution, to
go and wait upon the king of Samarcand, with a rich present of precious
stones, and demand the princess his daughter of him for the king of
Persia, your grandson and my nephew. I have some reason to believe he
will not refuse me, nor neglect to ally himself with one of the greatest
potentates of the earth.
It were to have been wished, replied the queen, that we had not been
under a necessity of making this demand, since the success of our attempt
is not so certain as we could desire; but since my grandson’s quiet and
content totally depend upon it, I freely give my consent to it. But,
above all, I charge you, since you sufficiently know the humour of the
king of Samarcand, that you take care to show him due respect, and not in
any wise offend him by too presuming a behaviour.
The queen prepared the present herself, composing it of diamonds, rubies,
emeralds, and strings of pearl; all which she put into a box, very neat
and very rich. Next morning, king Saleh took his leave of her majesty and
the king of Persia, and departed with a chosen but small troop of
officers and other attendants. He soon arrived at the capital and palace
of the king of Samarcand, who did not scruple to afford him audience
immediately upon his arrival. He rose from his throne as soon as he
perceived king Saleh; who, being willing to forget his character for some
moments, knowing whom he had to deal with, prostrated himself at his
feet, wishing him an accomplishment of whatever he desired. The king of
Samarcand immediately stooped to take him up; and, after he had placed
him by him on his left-hand, he told him he was welcome, and asked him if
there was any thing he could do to serve him.
Sir, answered king Saleh, though I should have no other motive than that
of rendering my respects to the most potent and most prudent prince in
the world, yet would I endeavour to convince your majesty, though poorly,
how much I honour and adore you. Were it possible you could penetrate
into my inmost soul, you would soon be convinced of the great veneration
I have had for you, and the ardent desire I entertain to pay you my most
humble acknowledgments. Having spoken these words, he took the box of
jewels from one of his servants, and having opened it, presented it to
the king, imploring him to accept of it for his sake.
Prince, replied the king of Samarcand, I hope you do not make me this
present without requiring a proportional benefit from me. If there be any
thing within the compass of my capacity, you may freely command it, and
will do me signal honour in accepting it. Speak, and tell me frankly
wherein I can serve you.
I must own ingenuously, replied king Saleh, I have a boon to ask of your
majesty; but I shall take care to ask nothing but what is within your
power to grant. The thing depends so absolutely on yourself, that it
would be to no purpose to require it of any other. I ask it then with all
possible earnestness, and I beg of you not to refuse it me. If it be so,
replied the king of Samarcand, you have nothing to do but to acquaint me
what it is, and you shall see after what manner I can oblige people of
desert.
Sir, then said king Saleh, after the confidence your majesty has been
pleased to think I have put in your good-will, I will not dissemble any
longer, that I came to beg of you to honour our house with your alliance
by marriage, and by that means to fortify the good understanding that has
always hitherto been between our two crowns.
At these words, the king of Samarcand began to laugh heartily, falling
back in his throne against a cushion that supported him; and soon after
said, with an injurious and scornful air, to king Saleh; King Saleh, I
have always hitherto thought you were a prince of great sense and wisdom;
but now I find you just the contrary. Tell me, I beseech you, where was
your wit or discretion, when you formed to yourself so great a chimera as
you have just now proposed to me? Could you conceive a thought only of
aspiring in marriage to so great a princess as my daughter? You ought to
have considered better the great distance between us, and not to run the
risk of losing in a moment the esteem I always had for your person.
King Saleh was extremely nettled at this affronting answer, and had much
ado to restrain his just resentment: however he replied, with greater
moderation than could be expected, God reward your majesty according as
you deserve. I beg the honour to inform you, I do not demand the princess
in marriage for myself: had I done so, your majesty, or the princess,
ought to have been so far from being offended, that you might rather have
taken it for an honour done to both. Your majesty knows well I am a king
of the sea as well as yourself; that the kings my ancestors have no
reason to yield in antiquity to any other royal families; and that the
kingdom I inherit from them is no less potent and flourishing than it has
ever been. If your majesty had not interrupted me, you had soon
understood, that the favour I asked of you was not for myself, but for
the young king of Persia, my nephew, whose power and grandeur, no less
than his personal good qualities, cannot be unknown to you. Every body
acknowledges the princess Giahaure to be one of the finest ladies under
the heavens; but it is at the same time acknowledged by all, that the
young king of Persia, my nephew, is as accomplished as any prince, either
upon land or under the water. Thus the favour that is asked being likely
to redound both to the honour of your majesty and the princess your
daughter, you ought not to delay your consent to an alliance so equal,
and which no doubt will be approved by the generality of people. The
princess is worthy of the king of Persia, and the king of Persia is no
less worthy of her. No king or prince in the world can deny me this.
The king of Samarcand had not let king Saleh go on so long after this
rate, had not the rage he put him in deprived him of all power of speech.
He was moreover some time longer before he could find his tongue, so much
was he transported with passion. At length, however, he broke out into
outrageous and injurious expressions, unworthy of a king. Dog, says he
aloud, dare you talk to me after this manner, and so much as once to
mention my daughter’s name in my presence? Can you think the son of your
sister Gulnare worthy to come in competition with my daughter? Who are
you? who was your father? who is your sister? and who your nephew? Was
not his father a dog, and a son of a dog, like thee? Guards, seize the
insolent wretch, and immediately cut off his head.
The few officers that were about the king of Samarcand were immediately
going to obey his orders, when king Saleh, who was in the flower of his
age, nimble and vigorous, got from them before they could draw their
sabres; and, having reached the palace gate, he there found a thousand
men of his relations and friends, well armed and equipped, who were but
just arrived. The queen his mother having considered the small number of
attendants he took with him, and moreover foreseeing the bad reception he
would probably have from the king of Samarcand, had sent these troops to
protect and defend him, in case of danger. Those of his relations who
were at the head of this troop immediately saw how seasonably they were
arrived, when they beheld him and his companions come running in great
disorder, and a small number of officers at their heels in pursuit of
them. My lord, cried out his friends, at the moment he joined them, what
is the matter? We are ready to revenge you; you need only command us.
King Saleh related his case to them in as few words as he could; and
afterwards putting himself at the head of a large troop, he, whilst some
seized on the gates, re-entered the palace as before. The few officers
and guards who had pursued him being soon dispersed, he re-entered the
king of Samarcand’s apartment, who, being abandoned by his attendants,
was soon seized. King Saleh left sufficient guards to secure his person,
and then went from apartment to apartment, to search after the princess
Giahaure. But that princess, on the first noise of this alarm, had,
together with her women, flung herself on the surface of the sea, and
escaped to a desert island.
As matters passed thus in the palace of the king of Samarcand, those of
king Saleh’s attendants, who had fled at the first menaces of the king,
put the queen his mother into a terrible consternation, upon relating the
danger her son was in. King Beder, who was by at that time, was the more
concerned, in that he looked upon himself as the principal author of all
the mischief that might ensue: therefore, not caring to abide the queen’s
presence any longer, he, whilst she was giving the necessary orders at
that conjuncture, darted himself upwards from the bottom of the sea; and
not knowing how to find his way to the kingdom of Persia, he happened to
light on the same island where the princess Giahaure had saved herself.
The prince, not a little disturbed in his mind, went and seated himself
under the shade of a large tree, surrounded with divers others. Whilst he
was endeavouring to recover his temper, he heard one that talked, but was
too far off to understand what was said. He arose, and advanced softly
towards the place whence the sound came, where, among the branches, he
perceived a beauty that dazzled him. Doubtless, said he within himself,
stopping, and considering her with great attention, this must be the
princess Giahaure, whom fear has obliged to abandon her father’s palace;
or, if it be not, she is, at least, one that no less deserves my love and
admiration. This said, he moved forward, and discovering himself,
approached the princess with a profound reverence. Madam, said he, I can
never sufficiently thank Heaven for the favour it has done me, in
regaling my eyes this day with so glorious a sight. A greater blessing
could not be conferred on me than this opportunity to offer you my most
humble services. I beseech you, therefore, madam, to accept them, it
being impossible that a lady, under such solitary circumstances, should
not want assistance.
True, my lord, replied Giahaure, very sorrowfully, it is not a little
extraordinary for a lady of my quality to be found in this condition. I
am a princess, daughter of the king of Samarcand, and my name is
Giahaure. As I was at ease in my father’s palace, and in my apartment, I
all of a sudden heard a dreadful noise: news was immediately brought me,
that king Saleh, I know not for what reason, had fired the palace, seized
upon the king my father, and murdered all the guards that made any
resistance. I had only time to save myself, and escape hither from his
violence.
At these words of the princess, king Beder began to be concerned that he
had quitted his grandmother so hastily, without staying to hear from her
the news that had been brought her; but he was, on the other hand,
overjoyed to find that the king his uncle had rendered himself master of
the king of Samarcand’s person, not doubting but he would consent to give
up the princess for his liberty. Adorable princess, continued he, your
concern is most just; but it is easy to put an end both to that and your
father’s captivity. You will agree with me, when I shall tell you that I
am Beder, king of Persia, and king Saleh is my uncle. I assure you,
madam, he has no design to seize upon the king your father’s dominions:
his only intent is, to obtain of him that I may have the honour to be
received for his son-in-law. I had already given my heart to you, upon
the bare relation of your charming beauty; and now, very far from
repenting of what I have done, I beg of you to accept it, and to be
assured that I will love you as long as I live. I dare flatter myself you
will not refuse this favour, but be ready to acknowledge, that a king
that quitted his dominions purely on your account deserves some favour.
Permit then, beauteous princess, that I may have the honour to go and
present you to the king my uncle; and the king your father shall no
sooner have consented to our marriage, than king Saleh will leave him
sovereign of his dominions as before.
This declaration of king Beder had not all the success he could have
desired. It is true the princess no sooner saw his person, and the good
mien wherewith he accosted her, than she had some kindness for him; but
when she came to understand from his own mouth that he had been the
occasion of all the ill treatment her father had undergone, of the grief
and fright she had endured, and especially the necessity she was reduced
to in flying her country to save her life, she looked upon him with that
horror, that she considered him rather as an enemy than a friend, with
whom she resolved to have no manner of converse. Moreover, whatever
inclination she might by any means be thought to have in regard to this
marriage, she determined never to yield to it, in consideration that one
of the reasons her father might have against this match might be, that
king Beder was son of a king of the earth; and therefore she proposed to
obey her father, especially in that particular.
She nevertheless resolved to let king Beder know nothing of her
resentment, and only sought an occasion to deliver herself dexterously
out of his hands, seeming, in the mean time, to have a great kindness for
him. Are you then, said she, with all possible civility, son of the queen
Gulnare, so famous for her wit and beauty? I am highly glad of it, and
moreover rejoice that you are the son of so worthy a mother. The king my
father was much in the wrong for so strongly opposing our conjunction: he
could no sooner have seen you but he must have consented to have made us
both happy. Saying these words, she reached forth her hand to him as a
token of friendship.
King Beder, believing himself arrived at the very pinnacle of happiness
held forth his hand, and was stooping to take that of the princess to
kiss it, when she, pushing him back, and spitting at him, said, Wretch,
quit that form of a man, and take one of a white bird, with a red bill
and feet. Upon her pronouncing these words, king Beder was immediately
changed into a bird of that sort, to his great surprise and astonishment.
Take him now, said she to one of her women, and carry him to the Desert
Island. This island was only one frightful rock, where there was not a
drop of water to be had.
The waiting-woman took the bird; and, in executing the princess’s orders,
had compassion on king Beder’s destiny. It would be great pity, said she
to herself, to let a prince, so worthy to live, die of hunger and thirst.
The princess will, it may be, repent of what she has ordered, when she
comes again to herself: it were better that I carried him to a place
where he may die a natural death. She then carried him to a
well-frequented island, and left him on a charming plain, planted with
all sorts of fruit-trees, and watered by divers rivulets.
Let us now return to king Saleh, who, after he had sought a good while
for the princess Giahaure, and ordered others to seek for her, to no
purpose, caused the king of Samarcand to be shut up in his palace, under
a good guard; and, having given the necessary orders for governing the
kingdom in his absence, he returned to give the queen his mother an
account of what he had done. The first thing he asked, upon his arrival,
was, Where was the king his nephew? and he was answered, to his great
surprise and astonishment, that he disappeared soon after he left him.
News being brought me, said the queen, of the danger you was in at the
palace of the king of Samarcand, while I was giving orders to send troops
for you to revenge yourself, he disappeared. He must necessarily have
been frightened at the hearing of your being in so great danger, and did
not think himself in sufficient security with us.
This news exceedingly afflicted king Saleh, who now repented of his being
so easily wrought upon by king Beder, as to carry him away with him
without his mother’s consent. He sent every where after him; but whatever
diligence was used, he could hear no news of him; and instead of the joy
he conceived at having carried on the marriage so far, which he looked
upon as his own work, he felt a grief for this accident that was
mortifying to him. While he was under suspense about his nephew, he left
his kingdom to the administration of his mother, and went and governed
that of the king of Samarcand, whom he continued to keep with great
vigilance, though with all due respect to his character.
The same day that king Saleh returned to the kingdom of Samarcand, queen
Gulnare, mother to king Beder, arrived at the court of the queen her
mother. The princess was not at all surprised to find her son did not
return the same day he set out; because it was common for him to go
farther than he proposed, in the heat of the chase: but when she saw he
neither returned the next day nor the day after that, she began to be
alarmed, as may easily be imagined, from the kindness she professed for
him. This alarm was considerably augmented, when the officers who had
accompanied the king, and were retired, after they had for a long time
sought in vain both for him and his uncle, came and told her majesty they
must of necessity have come to some harm, since, whatever diligence they
had used, they had heard no tidings of them. Their horses, indeed, they
had found; but, as for their persons, they knew not where to look for
them. The queen, hearing this, dissembled and concealed her affliction,
bidding the officers go and search once more with their utmost diligence;
but in the mean time, saying nothing to any body, she went and plunged
into the sea, to satisfy herself in the suspicion she had that king Saleh
must have carried away his nephew along with him.
This great queen would have been the more affectionately received by the
queen her mother, had she not, upon first sight of her, guessed the
occasion of her coming. Daughter, said she, I plainly perceive you are
not come hither to visit me; you come only to inquire after the king your
son; and I can only tell you such news of him as will augment both your
grief and mine. I must confess, I no sooner saw him arrive in our
territories, than I greatly rejoiced: yet, when I came to understand he
had come away without your knowledge, I began to partake with you in the
concern you must needs have at it. Then she related to her with what zeal
king Saleh went to demand the princess Giahaure in marriage for king
Beder, and what happened upon it, till such time as her son disappeared.
I have sent diligently after him, added she; and the king my son, who is
just gone to govern the kingdom of Samarcand, has done all that lay in
his power on his part. All our endeavours have hitherto proved
unsuccessful; but we hope nevertheless to see him again, perhaps when we
least expect it.
Comfortless queen Gulnare was not satisfied with this hope: she looked
upon the king her dear son as lost; and she lamented him grievously,
laying all the blame upon the king his uncle. The queen her mother made
her to consider the necessity there was of her not yielding too much to
her grief. The king your brother, said she, ought not, it is true, to
have talked to you so inconsiderately about that marriage, nor ever have
consented to carry away the king your son without your privacy: yet,
since it is not certain that the king of Persia is absolutely lost, you
ought to neglect nothing to preserve his kingdom for him. Lose then no
more time; but return to your capital: your presence there will be
necessary; and it will not be hard for you to preserve the public peace,
by causing it to be published that the king of Persia was gone to visit
his grandmother.