SOME days after this, the prince, having again repaired to the garden, dis­patched the vizier’s son to the sultaun, with instructions to represent the follow­ing address at the foot of the throne.

“My glorious master, heir apparent to the crown and ring of the empire of Futtun, was commanded in a vision, that, repairing to the shore, he should cast his nets, and whatever might be taken from the belly of the fish first caught, he should, himself, without the intervention of another, bring to the presence of those who kiss the ground of this august court. It hap­pened, that at the first draft was caught a large fish, out of which was taken a khulkaul, set with jewels of the greatest brilliancy and of most exquisite workmanship. The inconveniences and dangers which this head of an imperial house has sustained in his heaven-commanded journey, cannot any way be compressed into the mold of narration, or the conceptions of lan­guage; but they still hang upon his royal mind. Thanks, however, be to God, he has brought his sacred deposit safely; and if orders are issued, will acquire glory in a distinguishing interview with your majesty; but otherwise, having delivered up his trust to the imperial servants, will return instantly to his own country.”

When the vizier’s son had concluded his speech, signs of pleasure appeared upon the countenance of the king, who with great affability said, “Thy master is welcome, for he hath brought good fortune with him; but what can be the reason of the prince’s desiring in such haste to return home? It can­not be concealed from the intelligent of penetrating minds, that the chief of a royal house could not have been commissioned by divine revelation to undergo such difficulties, and to leave his kingdom, but for some important design of providence. Prior to thy arrival, a venerable personage dis­patched by the prophet Khizzer (on whom be blessing) informed us of thy approach, and of the divine command to unite the light of the eye of royalty and the glory of the aspect of dignity. Praise be to God, therefore, that thy master is arrived in health and safety. It is among the most important of divine blessings, and most demanding of our gratitude, that the precious pearl of the prince belongs to the casket of royalty; for, at all events, there would have been no power to oppose, or ability to avert the heavenly dictates. Since, then, a personage of such pure nature is commissioned, there shall not be a moment’s delay in our obedi­ence.”

The vizier’s son replied, “Since such are the divine commands, though the prince is of exalted mind and perfectly wise, so that he abstains from the company of woman on account of the levity peculiar to the sex, yet there is no remedy but to submit.” In short, the vizier’s son being dimissed, hastened to the presence of the prince, and with the grateful tidings of suc­cess gladdened his sense, as with the perfume of enjoyment.

Intelligence of the prince’s arrival being spread throughout the palace, Mher­banou was thrown into great agitation, lest the prince, who by divine interfer­ence had recovered her khulkaul, should not prove the object of her love, and worthy of union. While she was in this state of mind, the old woman, in company with her adopted sister having arranged some nosegays and wreaths of flowers in a fanciful taste, was intro­duced, and in the course of conversation, with much art (so that her intent should not be perceived) said,

“Happening to go this morning to gather flowers in a certain garden, I saw in it a young man of exquisite beauty, elegance of manners, readi­ness of wit, and eloquence of speech. The splendour of dignity and com­mand shone upon his aspect, and the rays of the star of prosperity beamed upon his enlightened countenance. His attendants told me that he was the son of the emperor of Futtun, who for some important purpose, sub­mitting to distant travel from that heaven-like city, after having under­gone much toil and danger, had arrived here. I, during the whole of my life (now extended beyond threescore years) have never beheld a handsomer youth, one so highly accomplished, or so calculated to please high and low. They say too, that in strength, Rustum compared to him would have been, like myself, a mere Zaul,* and that his liberality exceeds that of Hatim Taie.* Without exaggeration, he is a vigorous shoot of the tree of love, and a fresh-growing cypress on the canal bank of beauty. All accomplishments in his princely person are combined, and the Almighty has conferred upon him every outward and internal grace. The following couplet seems just in his praise.

Mherbanou on hearing of the personal and mental accomplishments of the prince, though a Leila became a Muj­jenou,* and from excessive impatience, giving the reins of self-controul from her hands, sent a message to the sultaun her father to this effect. “Regarding the hint from the blessed Khizzer, which has just arrived as a lamp to the path of our fates, it is necessary to hasten in obedience to it.” The sultaun at this, filled with delight, gave orders, that the marriage festivities should be prepared in a royal manner, the assembly of rejoicing be collected, and the drums of gladness resound, to announce that, in a fortunate instant, the cypress would be united to the grace­ful shumshade.