🧚 Opening, part 17 · page 2

Here Zeyn interrupted him.66 “Mobarec,” said he, “I declare, before all these guests, that I make you free from this moment, and that I renounce all right to your person and all you possess.67 Consider what you would have me do more for you.”68

Mobarec kissed the ground and returned the prince most hearty thanks.69

The next day Zeyn said to Mobarec: “I have taken rest enough.70 I came not to Cairo for pleasure.71 My design is to obtain the ninth statue.72 It is time for us to set out in search of it.”73

“Sir,” said Mobarec, “I am ready to comply with your desires; but you know not what dangers you must encounter to make this precious acquisition.”74

“Whatsoever the danger may be,” answered the prince, “I have resolved to make the attempt.75 I will either perish or succeed.76 Do you but bear me company and let your resolution be equal to mine.”77

Mobarec, finding him determined to go, called his servants and ordered them to make ready his equipage.78 The prince and he then set out.79 They travelled many days.80 At length, being come to a delightful spot, they alighted from their horses.81 Mobarec then said to the servants that attended them, “Do you remain here till we return.”82

Then he said to Zeyn: “Now, sir, let us advance by ourselves.83 You will stand in need of all your courage.”84

They soon came to a vast lake.85 Mobarec sat down on the brink of it, saying to the prince, “We must cross this water.”86

“How can we,” asked Zeyn, “when we have no boat?”87

“You will see one appear in a moment,” replied Mobarec.88 “The enchanted boat of the Sultan of the Genii will come for us.89 But you must observe a profound silence.90 Do not speak to the boatman, and whatever extraordinary circumstance you observe, say nothing; for I tell you beforehand that if you utter one word when we are embarked, the boat will sink.”91

“I shall take care to be silent,” said the prince.92 “You need only tell me what I am to do, and I will strictly comply.”93

Whilst they were talking, he spied a boat made of red sandalwood on the lake.94 It had a mast of fine amber and a blue satin flag.95 There was only one boatman in it, and he had the head of an elephant and the body of a tiger.96 When the boat was come to the prince and Mobarec, the monstrous boatman took them up one after the other with his trunk, put them into his boat, and carried them over the lake in a moment.97 He then again took them up with his trunk, set them ashore, and immediately vanished with his boat.98

“Now we may talk,” said Mobarec.99 “The island we are in belongs to the King of the Genii.100 Look around you, prince.101 Can there be a more delightful spot?102 Behold the fields adorned with all sorts of flowers and plants.103 Admire those beautiful trees, whose branches bend down to the ground.104 Hear those harmonious songs from a thousand birds of as many various sorts, unknown in other countries.”105

Zeyn could not sufficiently admire the beauties with which he was surrounded, and still found something new as he advanced farther into the island.106

At length they came before a palace built of emeralds, encompassed by a wide moat, on the banks whereof, at certain distances, were planted such tall trees that they shaded the whole palace.107 The gate was of massy gold and was approached by a bridge.108 At the entrance to the bridge stood a company of very tall genii, who guarded the portals of the castle with great clubs of steel.109

“Let us at present proceed no farther,” said Mobarec, “or these genii will destroy us; and in order to prevent their coming to us, we must perform a magic ceremony.”110

Then Mobarec laid on the ground two large mats, on the edges whereof he scattered some precious stones, musk, and amber.111 Afterwards he sat down on one of the mats, and Zeyn on the other, and Mobarec said to the prince: “I shall now conjure the Sultan of the Genii, who lives in the palace that is before us.112 If our coming into this island is displeasing to him, he will appear in the shape of a dreadful monster; but if he approves of your design, he will show himself in the shape of a handsome man.113 As soon as he appears before us, you must rise and salute him, without going off your mat; for you would certainly perish should you stir from it.114 You must say to him, ‘Lord of the Genii, I wish your majesty may protect me, as you always protected my father; and I most humbly beg you to give me the ninth statue.’”115

Mobarec, having thus instructed Prince Zeyn, began his conjuration.116 Immediately their eyes were dazzled by a long flash of lightning, which was followed by a clap of thunder.117 The whole island was covered with a thick darkness, a furious storm of wind blew, a dreadful cry was heard, the island felt a shock as if of an earthquake, and the Sultan of the Genii appeared in the shape of a very handsome man, yet there was something terrific in his air.118

As soon as King Zeyn had prostrated himself and spoken as he had been taught by Mobarec, the Sultan of the Genii, smiling, answered: “My son, I loved your father, and every time he came to pay me his respects, I presented him with a statue, which he carried away with him.119 I have no less kindness for you.120 I obliged your father, some days before he died, to write that which you read on the piece of white satin.121 I promised him to receive you under my protection, and to give you the ninth statue, which in beauty surpasses those you have already.122 I had begun to perform my promise to him, for it was I whom you saw in a dream in the shape of an old man.123 I caused you to open the underground place where the urns and the statues are deposited.124 I know the motive that brought you hither.125 You shall obtain what you desire on certain conditions.126 You must return with Mobarec, and you must swear to come again to me, and to bring with you a young maiden who has reached her twentieth year, and who has never entertained a wish to be married.127 She must also be perfectly beautiful; and you so much a master of yourself as not to determine to keep her for your wife, as you are conducting her hither.128 I will give you a looking-glass, which will clearly reflect no other image than that of the young maiden you are in search of.129 Now swear to me to observe these conditions and keep your oath like a man of honor.130 Otherwise I will take away your life, notwithstanding the kindness I have for you.”131

Zeyn Alasnam accepted the conditions and swore that he would faithfully keep his word.132 The Sultan of the Genii then delivered to him a looking-glass, saying: “My son, you may return when you please.133 There is the glass you are to use.”134

Zeyn and Mobarec took leave of the Sultan of the Genii and went towards the lake.135 The boatman with the elephant’s head brought the boat and ferried them over the lake as he had done before.136 They joined their servants and returned with them to Cairo.137