🧚 Opening, part 12

“If that be all,” replied Prince Houssain, “we cannot make more despatch than by transporting ourselves instantly into her chamber by means of my carpet.1 Come, lose no time, sit down, it is large enough to hold us all.”2

As soon as the order was given, the Princes Ali and Ahmed sat down by Houssain, and as their interest was the same, they all framed the same wish, and were transported instantaneously into the Princess Nouronnihar’s chamber.3

The presence of the three princes, who were so little expected, alarmed the princess’s women and guards, who could not comprehend by what enchantment three men should be among them; for they did not know them at first; and the guards were ready to fall on them, as people who had got into a part of the palace where they were not allowed to come; but they quickly found out their mistake.4

Prince Ahmed no sooner saw himself in Nouronnihar’s chamber than he rose off the carpet, and went to the bedside, and put the apple to her nostrils.5 The princess instantly opened her eyes, and sitting up, asked to be dressed, as if she had awakened out of a sound sleep.6 Her women presently informed her that she was obliged to the three princes, her cousins, and particularly to Prince Ahmed, for the sudden recovery of her health.7 She immediately expressed her joy at seeing them, and thanked them all together, but afterwards Prince Ahmed in particular.8 As she desired to dress, the princes contented themselves with telling her how great a pleasure it was to them to have come soon enough to contribute each in any degree towards relieving her from the imminent danger she was in, and what ardent prayers they had offered for the continuance of her life; after which they retired.9

While the princess was dressing, the princes went to throw themselves at the sultan their father’s feet; but when they came to him, they found he had been previously informed of their unexpected arrival by the chief of the princess’s guards, and by what means the princess had been so suddenly cured.10 The sultan received and embraced them with the greatest joy, both for their return and the wonderful recovery of the princess, his niece, whom he loved as if she had been his own daughter.11 After the usual compliments the princes each presented the rarity which he had brought: Prince Houssain his carpet, Prince Ali his ivory tube, and Prince Ahmed the artificial apple; and after each had commended his present, as he put it into the sultan’s hands, they begged of him to pronounce their fate, and declare to which of them he would give the Princess Nouronnihar, according to his promise.12

The Sultan of the Indies having heard all that the princes had to say in favor of their rarities remained some time silent, considering what answer he should make.13 At last he broke silence, and said to them in terms full of wisdom, “I would declare for one of you, my sons, if I could do it with justice.14 It is true, Ahmed, the princess, my niece, is obliged to your artificial apple for her cure; but let me ask you, whether you could have contrived to cure her if you had not known by Ali’s tube the danger she was in, and if Houssain’s carpet had not brought you to her so soon?15 Your tube, Ali, revealed to you and your brothers the illness of your cousin; but you must grant that the knowledge of her illness would have been of no service without the artificial apple and the carpet.16 And as for you, Houssain, your carpet was an essential instrument in effecting her cure; but consider, it would have been of little use if you had not been acquainted with her illness by Ali’s tube, or if Ahmed had not applied his artificial apple.17 Therefore, as the carpet, the ivory tube, and the artificial apple have no preference over each other, but on the contrary as each had an equal share in her cure, I cannot grant the princess to any one of you; and the only fruit you have reaped from your travels is the happiness of having equally contributed to restore her to health.18

“As this is the case,” added the sultan, “I must resort to other means to determine the choice I ought to make; and as there is time enough between now and night, I will do it to-day.19 Go and procure each of you a bow and arrow, and repair to the plain where the horses are exercised.20 I will soon join you, and will give the Princess Nouronnihar to him who shoots the farthest.”21

The three princes had nothing to object to the decision of the sultan.22 When they were dismissed from his presence, they each provided themselves with a bow and arrow, and went to the plain appointed, followed by a great concourse of people.23

As soon as the sultan arrived, Prince Houssain, as the eldest, took his bow and arrow, and shot first.24 Prince Ali shot next, and much beyond him, and Prince Ahmed last of all; but it so happened that nobody saw where his arrow fell; and notwithstanding all the search made by himself and the spectators, it was not to be found.25 So the sultan determined in favor of Prince Ali, and gave orders for preparations to be made for the wedding of him and Nouronnihar, which was celebrated a few days after with great magnificence.26

Prince Houssain would not honor the feast with his presence.27 His love for the princess was so sincere and ardent that he could scarcely support with patience the mortification of seeing her marry Prince Ali, who, he said, did not deserve her better nor love her more than himself.28 In short, his grief was so great that he left the court, and renounced all right of succession to the crown, to turn dervish, and put himself under the discipline of a famous holy man, who had gained great reputation for his holy life.29

Prince Ahmed, from the same motive, did not assist at Prince Ali and the Princess Nouronnihar’s nuptials any more than his brother Houssain, yet did not renounce the world as he had done.30 But as he could not imagine what had become of his arrow, he resolved to search for it.31 With this intent he went to the place where the Princes Houssain’s and Ali’s were picked up, and proceeding straightforward thence, looked carefully on both sides as he advanced.32 He went so far that at last he began to think his labor was in vain; yet he felt compelled to proceed, till he came to some steep craggy rocks, which completely prevented any further progress.33

At the very foot of these rocks he perceived an arrow, which, to his great astonishment, he found to be the same he had shot.34 “Certainly,” said he to himself, “neither I nor any man living could shoot an arrow so far.35 There must be come mystery in this; and perhaps fortune, to make amends for depriving me of what I thought the greatest happiness of my life, may have reserved a greater blessing for my comfort.”36

On looking about, the prince beheld an iron door, which seemed to be locked; but on his pushing against it, it opened, and revealed a staircase, which he walked down with his arrow in his hand.37 At first he thought he was going into a dark place, but presently he was surrounded by light, and beheld a splendid palace, the admirable structure of which he had not time to look at; for at the same instant a lady of majestic air, and of a beauty heightened by the richness of the jewels which adorned her person, advanced, attended by a troop of ladies, who were scarcely less magnificently dressed than their mistress.38