🧚 Opening, part 13

After Prince Ahmed had expressed to Perie Banou his sincere gratitude, the fairy summoned twenty horsemen, well mounted and equipped, to attend him.1 When all was ready, Prince Ahmed took his leave of the fairy.2 A charger, which was most richly caparisoned, and as beautiful a creature as any in the sultan’s stables, was brought to him, and he set forward on his journey.3

As it was no great distance, Prince Ahmed soon arrived at his father’s capital.4 The people received him with shouts and followed him in crowds to the palace.5 The sultan embraced him with great joy, complaining at the same time, with a fatherly tenderness, of the affliction his long absence had occasioned.6

“Sire,” replied Prince Ahmed, “I could not bear to resign the Princess Nouronnihar to my brother Ali, and I felt that my arrow, though it could not be found, had gone beyond his.7 The loss of my arrow dwelt continually on my mind, and I resolved to find it.8 I therefore returned alone to look for it, and I sought all about the plain where Houssain’s and Ali’s arrows were found, and where I imagined mine must have fallen, but all my labor was in vain.9 I had gone in the same direction about a league, a distance that the strongest archers could not reach with their arrows, and was about to abandon my search and return home, when I found myself drawn forward against my will.10 After having gone four leagues, to the end of the plain, where it is bounded by rocks, I perceived an arrow.11 I ran, took it up, and knew it to be the same which I had shot.12 Far from blaming your majesty for declaring in favor of my brother Ali, I never doubted but there was a mystery in what had happened to my advantage.13 But as to the revealing of this mystery, I beg you will not be offended if I remain silent, and that you will be satisfied to know from my own mouth that I am happy and content with my fate.14 To tell you this, and to relieve your anxiety, was the motive which brought me hither.15 I must now return, and the only favor I ask is your leave to come occasionally to pay you my duty, and to inquire after your health.”16

“Son,” answered the Sultan of the Indies, “I wish to penetrate no further into your secrets.17 I can only tell you that your presence has restored to me the joy I have not felt for a long time.18 You shall always be welcome when you can come to visit me.”19

Prince Ahmed stayed but three days at his father’s court and on the fourth returned to the fairy Perie Banou, who received him with the greater joy, as she did not expect him so soon.20 At the end of a month after the prince’s return, the fairy, no longer doubting his love for her, proposed herself that he should pay his respects to the sultan.21 “It is a month,” she said, “since you have seen the sultan your father.22 I think you should not be longer in renewing your visits.23 Go to him to-morrow, and after that visit him once a month, without speaking to me or waiting for my permission.24 I readily consent to such an arrangement.”25

Prince Ahmed went the next morning with the same attendants as before, but much more magnificently mounted, equipped, and dressed, and was received by the sultan with the same joy and satisfaction.26 For several months he constantly made these visits, and always in a richer and more brilliant equipage.27

At last the sultan’s counsellors, who judged of Prince Ahmed’s power by the splendor of his appearance, sought to make the sultan jealous of his son.28 They represented that it was but common prudence to discover where the prince had retired, and how he could afford to live so magnificently, since he had no revenue assigned for his expenses; that he seemed to come to court only to insult him, by affecting a more splendid display than himself; and that it was to be feared he might court the people’s favor and dethrone him.29 They represented the danger to be greater, as the prince could not reside far from the capital, for on every visit his attendants were different, their habits new, and their arms clean and bright, as if just come from the maker’s hands; and their horses looked as if they had only been walked out.30 “These are sufficient proofs,” they said, “that Prince Ahmed does not travel far, so that we should think ourselves wanting in our duty did we not make our humble remonstrances, in order that, for your own preservation and the good of your people, your majesty may take such measures as you shall think advisable.”31

When the courtiers had concluded these insinuations, the sultan said, “I do not believe my son Ahmed would act as you would persuade me; however, I am obliged to you for your advice, and do not doubt that it proceeds from your loyalty to my person.”32

The Sultan of the Indies said this that his courtiers might not know the impression their words had made on his mind.33 He was, however, so much alarmed by them, that he resolved to have Prince Ahmed watched.34 For this end he sent privately for the sorceress, who was introduced by a secret door into his study.35 “You told me the truth,” said he, “when you assured me my son Ahmed was alive.36 He now comes to my court every month, but I cannot learn from him where he resides.37 I believe you are capable of discovering his secret.38 He is at this time with me, and will depart in the morning, without taking leave of me or any of my court.39 I require you to watch him so as to find out where he retires, and bring me information.”40

The sorceress left the sultan, and learning by her art the place where Prince Ahmed had found his arrow, went immediately thither, and concealed herself near the rocks so as not to be seen.41

The next morning Prince Ahmed set out by daybreak, without taking leave either of the sultan or any of his court, according to custom.42 The sorceress saw him coming, and watched him and his attendants till she suddenly lost sight of them in the rocks.43 The steepness of the rocks formed a strong barrier to men, whether on horseback or on foot, so that the sorceress judged that the prince and his retinue had suddenly retired either into some cavern or some underground place, the abode of genii or fairies.44 When she thought the prince and his attendants must have advanced far into whatever concealment they inhabited, she came out of the place where she had hidden herself, and explored the spot where she had lost sight of them, but could perceive nothing.45 The sorceress was obliged to be satisfied with the insufficient discovery she had made, and returned to communicate it to the sultan; but at the same time informed him that she did not despair of obtaining the information he wished.46

The sultan was much pleased, and to encourage her presented her with a diamond of great value, telling her it was only a forerunner of the ample recompense she should receive when she had performed the important service which he left to her management.47 The sorceress, knowing the time when Prince Ahmed would again visit his father, went shortly before that time to the foot of the rock where she had lost sight of him and his attendants, and waited there to execute the project she had formed.48

The next morning as Prince Ahmed went out as usual at the iron door, with his attendants, on his journey to the capital, he saw a woman lying with her head on a rock, and complaining as if she was in great pain.49 He pitied her, turned his horse, and said, “Good woman, I will assist you, and convey you where you shall not only have all possible care taken of you, but where you will find a speedy cure.50 Rise, and let one of my people take you behind him.”51