“Fortune is ever in ambush, and the changeful skies constantly meditating some new deceit, while opportunity, like life, is short. It is becoming their valour and prudence, that before our enemy, awakened from the slumber of supineness, shall dash the chrystal wave of reputation upon the stone of disgrace, they should enlighten the chamber of purity with the lamp of honour; and thankful that to this period the rose of chastity has remained unblighted by the chill of mischance, not importune heaven by useless complaint.”
The prince having perused the letter, wrote the following.
“If my complaints against the cruel skies are justifiable, yet how can I complain of thee, though from obstinacy the destroyer of our repose, for thy love holds my neck in the noose of destruction, and thy wit has disabled the foot of severity. Hadst thou not cherished that cursed old hag, venomous as the serpent, I had not thus become a wretched wanderer in the desart of misfortune, or sat in the dark abode of dishonour. However, as the decrees of providence were such, it is unwise to complain.
When the messenger had conveyed this letter to Mherbanou, the prince having sent for the carpenter, said, “Though in this distressful expedition the hardships of my friends have been greater than I can enumerate, and my soul bows under the weight of obligation; yet I have one more favour to entreat which is peculiar to thyself, namely, that thou shouldst make me speedily a throne, which, like that of Solomon, will soar through the air, and may be the means, like the ark of Noah, of delivering us from the deluge of misfortune, and conveying us to the shore of success.”
The carpenter replied, “My prince, all of us, who from the first day of thy departure bound the girdle of accompaniment round the waist of our lives, until our elemental forms shall be separated, and the frame of our bones dissolved, will never quit thy presence.” Having said this, he kissed the ground of submission with the lip of respect, and hastening into a forest, began to search about for a proper tree to answer his purpose. At length he found one, but a monstrous black snake swelled with venom from head to tail, being entwined around its trunk, guarded it from his approach. The carpenter placing himself in the most respectful attitude, praised the monster in an eloquent speech; to which he replied in the language of man, “Who art thou, and what is thy desire?”
The carpenter related the prince’s and his own adventures from beginning to end, and requested the snake’s assistance in attaining his object; upon which the reptile, by command of the Almighty (before whose omnipotence the serpent and the ant are alike submissive) quitted the tree, and permitted the petitioner to cut down what he wanted. Having lopped off a proper branch, the carpenter fell to work with his magic performing axe, and soon fashioned out a throne of such great beauty, as might rival the throne of Jumshede. Having fully completed it in a little time, he presented it to the prince, who anxiously waited his return, as the last day of Mherbanou’s vow was now passing away, so that till the carpenter’s arrival, he was almost lifeless with dread, and counting every breath as his last.
On the following morning, when the sovereign of the stars had ascended the azure throne of the skies, Hoshung in ecstacy at the promised enjoyment of Mherbanou, commanded to be prepared a sumptuous feast (the splendour of which the assembly of the highest heavens might envy) to which he invited the prime courtiers and great lords of his kingdom. All the preparations of mirth and pleasure befitting a royal festival, being ready, he proclaimed a general audience. Having with imperial pomp ascended the throne, he ordered the seals of many purses to be taken off, and enriched a world with largess of gold and jewels. The circulation of the glass, like the rolling of the eyes of sweet-lipped maidens, fascinated the understanding, while music ravished the soul. Pleasure, in every corner of the assembly, fermented like new wine in the cask; and if for an instant care passed through this joyous spot, he was quickly overcome by the intoxication of mirth.