the prince to relate his adventures.
The prince at once seized the opening thus given him, and told the whole story of
his treatment by the Princess of Bengal, not even concealing the fact that she
had fallen in love with him. "And, Sire," ended the prince, "having given my royal
word that you would not refuse your consent to our marriage, I persuaded her to
return with me on the Indian's horse. I have left her in one of your Highness's
country houses, where she is waiting anxiously to be assured that I have not
promised in vain."
As he said this the prince was about to throw himself at the feet of the Sultan, but
his father prevented him, and embracing him again, said eagerly:
"My son, not only do I gladly consent to your marriage with the Princess of
Bengal, but I will hasten to pay my respects to her, and to thank her in my own
person for the benefits she has conferred on you. I will then bring her back with
me, and make all arrangements for the wedding to be celebrated to-day."
So the Sultan gave orders that the habits of mourning worn by the people should
be thrown off and that there should be a concert of drums, trumpets and
cymbals. Also that the Indian should be taken from prison, and brought before
him.
His commands were obeyed, and the Indian was led into his presence,
surrounded by guards. "I have kept you locked up," said the Sultan, "so that in
case my son was lost, your life should pay the penalty. He has now returned; so
take your horse, and begone for ever."
The Indian hastily quitted the presence of the Sultan, and when he was outside,
he inquired of the man who had taken him out of prison where the prince had
really been all this time, and what he had been doing. They told him the whole
story, and how the Princess of Bengal was even then awaiting in the country
palace the consent of the Sultan, which at once put into the Indian's head a plan
of revenge for the treatment he had experienced. Going straight to the country
house, he informed the doorkeeper who was left in charge that he had been sent
by the Sultan and by the Prince of Persia to fetch the princess on the enchanted
horse, and to bring her to the palace.
The doorkeeper knew the Indian by sight, and was of course aware that nearly
three months before he had been thrown into prison by the Sultan; and seeing
him at liberty, the man took for granted that he was speaking the truth, and made
no difficulty about leading him before the Princess of Bengal; while on her side,
hearing that he had come from the prince, the lady gladly consented to do what
he wished.
The Indian, delighted with the success of his scheme, mounted the horse,
assisted the princess to mount behind him, and turned the peg at the very
moment that the prince was leaving the palace in Schiraz for the country house,
followed closely by the Sultan and all the court. Knowing this, the Indian
deliberately steered the horse right above the city, in order that his revenge for
his unjust imprisonment might be all the quicker and sweeter.
When the Sultan of Persia saw the horse and its riders, he stopped short with
astonishment and horror, and broke out into oaths and curses, which the Indian
heard quite unmoved, knowing that he was perfectly safe from pursuit. But
mortified and furious as the Sultan was, his feelings were nothing to those of
Prince Firouz Schah, when he saw the object of his passionate devotion being
borne rapidly away. And while he was struck speechless with grief and remorse
at not having guarded her better, she vanished swiftly out of his sight. What was
he to do? Should he follow his father into the palace, and there give reins to his
despair? Both his love and his courage alike forbade it; and he continued his way
to the palace.
The sight of the prince showed the doorkeeper of what folly he had been guilty,
and flinging himself at his master's feet, implored his pardon. "Rise," said the
prince, "I am the cause of this misfortune, and not you. Go and find me the dress
of a dervish, but beware of saying it is for me."
At a short distance from the country house, a convent of dervishes was situated,
and the superior, or scheih, was the doorkeeper's friend. So by means of a false
story made up on the spur of the moment, it was easy enough to get hold of a
dervish's dress, which the prince at once put on, instead of his own. Disguised
like this and concealing about him a box of pearls and diamonds he had intended
as a present to the princess, he left the house at nightfall, uncertain where he
should go, but firmly resolved not to return without her.
Meanwhile the Indian had turned the horse in such a direction that, before many
hours had passed, it had entered a wood close to the capital of the kingdom of
Cashmere. Feeling very hungry, and supposing that the princess also might be in
want of food, he brought his steed down to the earth, and left the princess in a
shady place, on the banks of a clear stream.
At first, when the princess had found herself alone, the idea had occurred to her
of trying to escape and hide herself. But as she had eaten scarcely anything
since she had left Bengal, she felt she was too weak to venture far, and was
obliged to abandon her design. On the return of the Indian with meats of various
kinds, she began to eat voraciously, and soon had regained sufficient courage to
reply with spirit to his insolent remarks. Goaded by his threats she sprang to her
feet, calling loudly for help, and luckily her cries were heard by a troop of
horsemen, who rode up to inquire what was the matter.
Now the leader of these horsemen was the Sultan of Cashmere, returning from
the chase, and he instantly turned to the Indian to inquire who he was, and whom
he had with him. The Indian rudely answered that it was his wife, and there was
no occasion for anyone else to interfere between them.
The princess, who, of course, was ignorant of the rank of her deliverer, denied
altogether the Indian's story. "My lord," she cried, "whoever you may be, put no
faith in this impostor. He is an abominable magician, who has this day torn me
from the Prince of Persia, my destined husband, and has brought me here on
this enchanted horse." She would have continued, but her tears choked her, and
the Sultan of Cashmere, convinced by her beauty and her distinguished air of the
truth of her tale, ordered his followers to cut off the Indian's head, which was
done immediately.
But rescued though she was from one peril, it seemed as if she had only fallen
into another. The Sultan commanded a horse to be given her, and conducted her
to his own palace, where he led her to a beautiful apartment, and selected
female slaves to wait on her, and eunuchs to be her guard. Then, without
allowing her time to thank him for all he had done, he bade her repose, saying
she should tell him her adventures on the following day.
The princess fell asleep, flattering herself that she had only to relate her story for
the Sultan to be touched by compassion, and to restore her to the prince without
delay. But a few hours were to undeceive her.
When the King of Cashmere had quitted her presence the evening before, he
had resolved that the sun should not set again without the princess becoming his
wife, and at daybreak proclamation of his intention was made throughout the
town, by the sound of drums, trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments
calculated to fill the heart with joy. The Princess of Bengal was early awakened
by the noise, but she did not for one moment imagine that it had anything to do
with her, till the Sultan, arriving as soon as she was dressed to inquire after her
health, informed her that the trumpet blasts she heard were part of the solemn
marriage ceremonies, for which he begged her to prepare. This unexpected
announcement caused the princess such terror that she sank down in a dead
faint.
The slaves that were in waiting ran to her aid, and the Sultan himself did his best
to bring her back to consciousness, but for a long while it was all to no purpose.
At length her senses began slowly to come back to her, and then, rather than
break faith with the Prince of Persia by consenting to such a marriage, she
determined to feign madness. So she began by saying all sorts of absurdities,
and using all kinds of strange gestures, while the Sultan stood watching her with
sorrow and surprise. But as this sudden seizure showed no sign of abating, he
left her to her women, ordering them to take the greatest care of her. Still, as the
day went on, the malady seemed to become worse, and by night it was almost
violent.
Days passed in this manner, till at last the Sultan of Cashmere decided to
summon all the doctors of his court to consult together over her sad state. Their
answer was that madness is of so many different kinds that it was impossible to
give an opinion on the case without seeing the princess, so the Sultan gave
orders that they were to be introduced into her chamber, one by one, every man
according to his rank.
This decision had been foreseen by the princess, who knew quite well that if
once she allowed the physicians to feel her pulse, the most ignorant of them
would discover that she was in perfectly good health, and that her madness was
feigned, so as each man approached, she broke out into such violent paroxysms,
that not one dared to lay a finger on her. A few, who pretended to be cleverer
than the rest, declared that they could diagnose sick people only from sight,
ordered her certain potions, which she made no difficulty about taking, as she
was persuaded they were all harmless.
When the Sultan of Cashmere saw that the court doctors could do nothing
towards curing the princess, he called in those of the city, who fared no better.
Then he had recourse to the most celebrated physicians in the other large towns,
but finding that the task was beyond their science, he finally sent messengers
into the other neighbouring states, with a memorandum containing full particulars
of the princess's madness, offering at the same time to pay the expenses of any
physician who would come and see for himself, and a handsome reward to the
one who should cure her. In answer to this proclamation many foreign professors
flocked into Cashmere, but they naturally were not more successful than the rest
had been, as the cure depended neither on them nor their skill, but only on the
princess herself.
It was during this time that Prince Firouz Schah, wandering sadly and hopelessly
from place to place, arrived in a large city of India, where he heard a great deal of
talk about the Princess of Bengal who had gone out of her senses, on the very
day that she was to have been married to the Sultan of Cashmere. This was
quite enough to induce him to take the road to Cashmere, and to inquire at the
first inn at which he lodged in the capital the full particulars of the story. When he
knew that he had at last found the princess whom he had so long lost, he set
about devising a plan for her rescue.
The first thing he did was to procure a doctor's robe, so that his dress, added to
the long beard he had allowed to grow on his travels, might unmistakably
proclaim his profession. He then lost no time in going to the palace, where he
obtained an audience of the chief usher, and while apologising for his boldness in
presuming to think that he could cure the princess, where so many others had
failed, declared that he had the secret of certain remedies, which had hitherto
never failed of their effect.
The chief usher assured him that he was heartily welcome, and that the Sultan
would receive him with pleasure; and in case of success, he would gain a
magnificent reward.
When the Prince of Persia, in the disguise of a physician, was brought before
him, the Sultan wasted no time in talking, beyond remarking that the mere sight
of a doctor threw the princess into transports of rage. He then led the prince up to
a room under the roof, which had an opening through which he might observe
the princess, without himself being seen.
The prince looked, and beheld the princess reclining on a sofa with tears in her
eyes, singing softly to herself a song bewailing her sad destiny, which had
deprived her, perhaps for ever, of a being she so tenderly loved. The young
man's heart beat fast as he listened, for he needed no further proof that her
madness was feigned, and that it was love of him which had caused her to resort
to this species of trick. He softly left his hiding-place, and returned to the Sultan,
to whom he reported that he was sure from certain signs that the princess's
malady was not incurable, but that he must see her and speak with her alone.
The Sultan made no difficulty in consenting to this, and commanded that he
should be ushered in to the princess's apartment. The moment she caught sight
of his physician's robe, she sprang from her seat in a fury, and heaped insults
upon him. The prince took no notice of her behaviour, and approaching quite
close, so that his words might be heard by her alone, he said in a low whisper,
"Look at me, princess, and you will see that I am no doctor, but the Prince of
Persia, who has come to set you free."
At the sound of his voice, the Princess of Bengal suddenly grew calm, and an
expression of joy overspread her face, such as only comes when what we wish
for most and expect the least suddenly happens to us. For some time she was
too enchanted to speak, and Prince Firouz Schah took advantage of her silence
to explain to her all that had occurred, his despair at watching her disappear
before his very eyes, the oath he had sworn to follow her over the world, and his
rapture at finally discovering her in the palace at Cashmere. When he had
finished, he begged in his turn that the princess would tell him how she had come
there, so that he might the better devise some means of rescuing her from the
tyranny of the Sultan.
It needed but a few words from the princess to make him acquainted with the
whole situation, and how she had been forced to play the part of a mad woman in
order to escape from a marriage with the Sultan, who had not had sufficient
politeness even to ask her consent. If necessary, she added, she had resolved to
die sooner than permit herself to be forced into such a union, and break faith with
a prince whom she loved.
The prince then inquired if she knew what had become of the enchanted horse
since the Indian's death, but the princess could only reply that she had heard
nothing about it. Still she did not suppose that the horse could have been
forgotten by the Sultan, after all she had told him of its value.
To this the prince agreed, and they consulted together over a plan by which she
might be able to make her escape and return with him into Persia. And as the
first step, she was to dress herself with care, and receive the Sultan with civility
when he visited her next morning.
The Sultan was transported with delight on learning the result of the interview,
and his opinion of the doctor's skill was raised still higher when, on the following
day, the princess behaved towards him in such a way as to persuade him that
her complete cure would not be long delayed. However he contented himself with
assuring her how happy he was to see her health so much improved, and
exhorted her to make every use of so clever a physician, and to repose entire
confidence in him. Then he retired, without awaiting any reply from the princess.
The Prince of Persia left the room at the same time, and asked if he might be
allowed humbly to inquire by what means the Princess of Bengal had reached
Cashmere, which was so far distant from her father's kingdom, and how she
came to be there alone. The Sultan thought the question very natural, and told
him the same story that the Princess of Bengal had done, adding that he had
ordered the enchanted horse to be taken to his treasury as a curiosity, though he
was quite ignorant how it could be used.
"Sire," replied the physician, "your Highness's tale has supplied me with the clue I
needed to complete the recovery of the princess. During her voyage hither on an
enchanted horse, a portion of its enchantment has by some means been
communicated to her person, and it can only be dissipated by certain perfumes
of which I possess the secret. If your Highness will deign to consent, and to give
the court and the people one of the most astonishing spectacles they have ever
witnessed, command the horse to be brought into the big square outside the
palace, and leave the rest to me. I promise that in a very few moments, in
presence of all the assembled multitude, you shall see the princess as healthy
both in mind and body as ever she was in her life. And in order to make the
spectacle as impressive as possible, I would suggest that she should be richly
dressed and covered with the noblest jewels of the crown."
The Sultan readily agreed to all that the prince proposed, and the following
morning he desired that the enchanted horse should be taken from the treasury,
and brought into the great square of the palace. Soon the rumour began to
spread through the town, that something extraordinary was about to happen, and
such a crowd began to collect that the guards had to be called out to keep order,
and to make a way for the enchanted horse.
When all was ready, the Sultan appeared, and took his place on a platform,
surrounded by the chief nobles and officers of his court. When they were seated,
the Princess of Bengal was seen leaving the palace, accompanied by the ladies
who had been assigned to her by the Sultan. She slowly approached the
enchanted horse, and with the help of her ladies, she mounted on its back.
Directly she was in the saddle, with her feet in the stirrups and the bridle in her
hand, the physician placed around the horse some large braziers full of burning
coals, into each of which he threw a perfume composed of all sorts of delicious
scents. Then he crossed his hands over his breast, and with lowered eyes
walked three times round the horse, muttering the while certain words. Soon
there arose from the burning braziers a thick smoke which almost concealed both
the horse and princess, and this was the moment for which he had been waiting.
Springing lightly up behind the lady, he leaned forward and turned the peg, and
as the horse darted up into the air, he cried aloud so that his words were heard
by all present, "Sultan of Cashmere, when you wish to marry princesses who
have sought your protection, learn first to gain their consent."
It was in this way that the Prince of Persia rescued the Princess of Bengal, and
returned with her to Persia, where they descended this time before the palace of
the King himself. The marriage was only delayed just long enough to make the
ceremony as brilliant as possible, and, as soon as the rejoicings were over, an
ambassador was sent to the King of Bengal, to inform him of what had passed,
and to ask his approbation of the alliance between the two countries, which he
heartily gave.
The Story of Two Sisters Who Were
Jealous of Their Younger Sister
Once upon a time there reigned over Persia a Sultan named Kosrouschah, who
from his boyhood had been fond of putting on a disguise and seeking adventures
in all parts of the city, accompanied by one of his officers, disguised like himself.
And no sooner was his father buried and the ceremonies over that marked his
accession to the throne, than the young man hastened to throw off his robes of
state, and calling to his vizir to make ready likewise, stole out in the simple dress
of a private citizen into the less known streets of the capital.
Passing down a lonely street, the Sultan heard women's voices in loud
discussion; and peeping through a crack in the door, he saw three sisters, sitting
on a sofa in a large hall, talking in a very lively and earnest manner. Judging from
the few words that reached his ear, they were each explaining what sort of men
they wished to marry.
"I ask nothing better," cried the eldest, "than to have the Sultan's baker for a
husband. Think of being able to eat as much as one wanted, of that delicious
bread that is baked for his Highness alone! Let us see if your wish is as good as
mine."
"I," replied the second sister, "should be quite content with the Sultan's head
cook. What delicate stews I should feast upon! And, as I am persuaded that the
Sultan's bread is used all through the palace, I should have that into the bargain.
You see, my dear sister, my taste is as good as yours."
It was now the turn of the youngest sister, who was by far the most beautiful of
the three, and had, besides, more sense than the other two. "As for me," she
said, "I should take a higher flight; and if we are to wish for husbands, nothing
less than the Sultan himself will do for me."
The Sultan was so much amused by the conversation he had overheard, that he
made up his mind to gratify their wishes, and turning to the grand-vizir, he bade
him note the house, and on the following morning to bring the ladies into his
presence.
The grand-vizir fulfilled his commission, and hardly giving them time to change
their dresses, desired the three sisters to follow him to the palace. Here they
were presented one by one, and when they had bowed before the Sultan, the
sovereign abruptly put the question to them:
"Tell me, do you remember what you wished for last night, when you were
making merry? Fear nothing, but answer me the truth."
These words, which were so unexpected, threw the sisters into great confusion,
their eyes fell, and the blushes of the youngest did not fail to make an impression
on the heart of the Sultan. All three remained silent, and he hastened to continue:
"Do not be afraid, I have not the slightest intention of giving you pain, and let me
tell you at once, that I know the wishes formed by each one. You," he said,
turning to the youngest, "who desired to have me for an husband, shall be
satisfied this very day. And you," he added, addressing himself to the other two,
"shall be married at the same moment to my baker and to my chief cook."
When the Sultan had finished speaking the three sisters flung themselves at his
feet, and the youngest faltered out, "Oh, sire, since you know my foolish words,
believe, I pray you, that they were only said in joke. I am unworthy of the honour
you propose to do me, and I can only ask pardon for my boldness."
The other sisters also tried to excuse themselves, but the Sultan would hear
nothing.
"No, no," he said, "my mind is made up. Your wishes shall be accomplished."
So the three weddings were celebrated that same day, but with a great
difference. That of the youngest was marked by all the magnificence that was
customary at the marriage of the Shah of Persia, while the festivities attending
the nuptials of the Sultan's baker and his chief cook were only such as were
suitable to their conditions.
This, though quite natural, was highly displeasing to the elder sisters, who fell
into a passion of jealousy, which in the end caused a great deal of trouble and
pain to several people. And the first time that they had the opportunity of
speaking to each other, wh