AFTER they had resided some time in Shunguldeep, the prince ventured to enquire of Sunnobir the cause of the queen’s disgust to mankind; when the vizier condescending to gratify his curiosity, said, “I will relate it to thee, as she informed me, exactly in her own words.”*
“The first form which was decreed to me in elemental composition was that of a bird; and according to the established usages of this curious world of production, in which the connecting chain of existence depends upon offspring, and where the female cannot avoid society with the male, I necessarily preferred a helpmate. In process of time, two young ones being decreed me in the womb of fate, I built my nest, laid my eggs, and hatched them. Suddenly one night, the darkness of which was increased by uncommonly thick clouds, a fire seized our grove, and surrounded my nest like the setting of a ring. I being asleep, perceived it not till the hand of contrivance was rendered useless. As my young were not yet able to fly, and I could not convey them away both at once, I entreated the assistance of my mate; but he cowardly deserted me, and left us to our fate. Motherly affection prevailed, and my mortal part was consumed with my children’s; but the good I had done meeting the acceptance of the Most High, he revived me again in the beautiful form of the queen you now see before you. Remembering the cruel inconstancy and treacherous desertion of my mate, I have resolved to hold no connection with man, and have vowed lasting enmity against his sex, while constrained to dwell in the shape of woman.”
The prince communicated this wonderful transmigration to Jaffier, and after some time they requested their dismission from court, under pretence of returning home. The queen and Sunnobir having in vain entreated them to remain, at length consented to their departure, and in return for the pleasure their musical talents had afforded, conferred upon them many rich jewels and an immense sum of money. Having taken leave, they left the city, and throwing off their female attire, burnt it together with their instruments of music. The prince then cast into a fire a bit of the feather of the simurgh, who instantly appearing, as she had promised, at their desire bore them to the borders of the kingdom of Shunguldeep. By advice of Jaffier, the prince having collected a band of chosen men well armed, was with them once more conveyed by the simurgh into the favourite garden of his mistress under cover of the night.
The following morning, when the queen’s attendants came as usual to gather flowers, they were suddenly surrounded, and all slain, excepting one, allowed purposely to escape, that she might convey to her mistress intelligence of the disaster. The queen, upon this unwelcome occurrence, dispatched a faithful and experienced servant to enquire of the enemy the cause of their invasion. She was informed, that he was the heir of the kingdom of Serendib, who had vowed eternal hatred to woman, and in order that he might not see the abominated sex, wore constantly a thick veil; while his army, composed of simurghs, destroyed every female they met; and that, hearing Shunguldeep was governed by women, he had marched to put them to the sword.
On the return of the messenger, the queen after much consideration sent another, to signify that she had as great an hatred to man as he had to woman, but her reason for it was great; and unless he had one as substantial for his disgust, to make war upon the innocent and unoffending was unworthy the character of a just prince. To this he replied, that he had an heart-afflicting cause; and then related the tale she had told her vizier, only reversing the circumstance of the desertion of the male bird.
The queen, astonished at the accordance of their fates, requested an interview, to which the prince assented; when she repeated her adventures and transmigration to her present condition. Ferokh-Faul now proposed, as their fortunes were similar, to lay aside animosity, and unite in marriage. To this she agreed, and the fair Sunnobir was prevailed upon to accept Jaffier, who was appointed vizier of the united kingdoms of Serendib and Shunguldeep.