🧚 Opening, part 18

The young sultan rested a few days at Mobarec’s house and then said to him, “Let us go to Bagdad, to seek a maiden for the Sovereign of the Genii.”1

“Why, are we not at Grand Cairo?” said Mobarec.2 “Shall we not there find beautiful maidens?”3

“You are in the right,” answered the prince; “but how shall we learn where they are?”4

“Do not trouble yourself about that,” answered Mobarec.5 “I know a very shrewd old woman, whom I will intrust with the affair, and she will acquit herself well.”6

Accordingly, the old woman found means to show King Zeyn a considerable number of beautiful maidens of twenty years of age; but when he had viewed them, and came to consult his glass, it always appeared sullied.7 All the maidens in the court and city who were in their twentieth year underwent the trial one after another, but the glass never remained bright and clear.8

When Zeyn and Mobarec saw there were no maidens to be found in Cairo who did not wish to be married, they went to Bagdad, where they hired a magnificent palace, and soon made acquaintance with the chief people of the city.9

There lived at Bagdad at this time an imaum[2] of much repute and noted for his charity.10 His name was Boubekir Muezin.11 To him Mobarec went and offered a purse of five hundred gold pieces, in the name of Prince Zeyn, to distribute among the poor.12 On the next day, Boubekir Muezin waited on Prince Zeyn to return to him his thanks; and on hearing the purpose of his visit to Bagdad, told him of a young maiden, the daughter of a former vizier of the Sultan of Bagdad, whom he was assured would fulfil the terms required by Prince Zeyn, and offered to ask her from her father as the wife of the prince if he would go with him to her father’s mansion.13 The prince accompanied the imaum to the vizier’s; and the vizier, as soon as he was acquainted with the prince’s birth and design, called his daughter and made her take off her veil.14 Never had the young Sultan of Bussorah beheld such a perfect and striking beauty.15 He pulled out his glass, which remained bright and unsullied.16

[Footnote 2: Imaum: The officer in Mohammedan mosques who recites the prayers and leads the devotions.]17

When he perceived he had at length found such a person as he desired, he entreated the vizier to grant her to him.18 Immediately the cadi was sent for, the contract signed, and the marriage prayer said.19 After this ceremony, Zeyn conducted the vizier to his house, where he treated him magnificently and gave him considerable presents.20 Next day he sent a vast quantity of jewels by Mobarec, who conducted the bride home, where the wedding was celebrated with all the pomp that became Zeyn’s rank and dignity.21 When all the company was dismissed Mobarec said to his master: “Let us begone, sir, let us not stay any longer at Bagdad, but return to Cairo.22 Remember the promise you made the Sultan of the Genii.”23

“Let us go,” answered the prince; “I must take care to do exactly as I agreed; yet I must confess, my dear Mobarec, that, if I obey the Sultan of the Genii, it is not without reluctance.24 The damsel I have married is so charming that I am tempted to carry her to Bussorah and place her on the throne.”25

“Alas! sir,” answered Mobarec, “take heed how you give way to your inclination.26 Whatever it costs you, be as good as your word to the Sultan of the Genii.”27

“Well, then, Mobarec,” said the prince, “do you take care to conceal the lovely maid from me.28 Let her never appear in my sight—perhaps I have already seen too much of her.”29

Mobarec made all ready for their departure.30 They returned to Cairo and thence set out for the island of the Sultan of the Genii.31 When they arrived, the maid, who had performed the journey in a litter, and whom the prince had never seen since his marriage, said to Mobarec: “Where are we?32 Shall we soon be in the dominions of the prince my husband?”33

“Madam,” answered Mobarec, “it is time to undeceive you.34 Prince Zeyn married you only in order to get you from your father.35 He did not intend to make you Sovereign of Bussorah, but to deliver you to the Sultan of the Genii.”36

At these words she began to weep bitterly, which moved the prince and Mobarec.37 “Take pity on me,” said she.38 “I am a stranger.39 You will be accountable to God for your treachery towards me.”40

Her tears and complaints were of no effect, for she was presented to the Sultan of the Genii, who having gazed on her with attention, said to Zeyn: “Prince, I am satisfied with your behavior.41 The maiden you have brought me is beautiful and good, and I am pleased with the restraint you have put on yourself to fulfill your promise to me.42 Return to your dominions, and when you enter the underground room, where the eight statues are, you shall find the ninth which I promised you.43 I will make my genii carry it thither.”44

Zeyn thanked the King of the Genii, and returned to Cairo with Mobarec, but did not stay long in Egypt, for his impatience to see the ninth statue made him hasten his departure.45 However, he could not but often think regretfully of the young girl he had married and blame himself for having deceived her.46 “Alas!” said he to himself, “I have taken her from a tender father to sacrifice her to a genie.47 Oh, wonderful beauty!48 You deserve a better fate.”49

Sultan Zeyn, disturbed with these thoughts, at length reached Bussorah, where his subjects made extraordinary rejoicings for his return.50 He went directly to give an account of his journey to his mother, who was in a rapture to hear that he had obtained the ninth statue.51 “Let us go, my son,” said she, “and see it, for it is certainly in the underground chamber, since the Sultan of the Genii said you should find it there.”52

The young sultan and his mother being both impatient to see the wonderful statue, went down into the room of the statues; but how great was their surprise, when, instead of a statue of diamonds, they beheld on the ninth pedestal a most beautiful girl, whom the prince knew to be the same whom he had conducted to the island of the genii!53 “Prince,” said the young maid, “you are surprised to see me here.54 You expected to have found something more precious than me, and I question not but that you now repent having taken so much trouble.55 You expected a better reward.”56

“Madam,” answered Zeyn, “Heaven is my witness that I more than once had nearly broken my word with the Sultan of the Genii by keeping you myself.57 Whatever be the value of a diamond statue, it is worth the satisfaction of having you mine?58 I love you above all the diamonds and wealth in the world.”59

Just as he had done speaking, a clap of thunder was heard, which shook the subterraneous place.60 Zeyn’s mother was alarmed, but the Sultan of the Genii immediately appearing dispelled her fear.61 “Madam,” said he to her, “I protect and love your son.62 I had a mind to try, whether, at his age, he could subdue himself.63 This is the ninth statue I designed for him.64 It is more rare and precious than the others.65 Live happy, Zeyn, with this your wife,” said he, directing his discourse to the young prince, “and if you would have her true and constant to you, love her always and love her only.”66