Fairy Tales from the Arabian Nights | Page 9

the
earth, you would wonder we should have the boldness to make you a
present of so small a value. I beseech you, therefore, not to regard it in
that light, but on account of the sincere friendship which obliges us to
offer it to you not to give us the mortification of refusing it.' This
obliged the King of Persia to accept the present, for which he returned
many thanks both to King Saleh and the queen his mother.
A few days after, King Saleh gave the King of Persia to understand that
the queen his mother, the princesses his relations and himself, could
have no greater pleasure than to spend their whole lives at his court; but
that having been so long absent from their own kingdom, where their
presence was absolutely necessary, they begged of him not to take it ill
if they took leave of him and Queen Gulnare. The King of Persia
assured them he was very sorry that it was not in his power to return
their visit in their own dominions; but he added, 'As I am verily
persuaded you will not forget Queen Gulnare, but come and see her

now and then, I hope I shall have the honour to see you again more
than once.'
Many tears were shed on both sides upon their separation. King Saleh
departed first; but the queen his mother, and the princesses his relations,
were fain to force themselves in a manner from the embraces of Queen
Gulnare, who could not prevail upon herself to let them go. This royal
company were no sooner out of sight than the King of Persia said to
Queen Gulnare, 'Madam, I should have looked with suspicion upon the
person that had pretended to pass those off upon me for true wonders,
of which I myself have been an eye-witness from the time I have been
honoured with your illustrious family at my court. But I cannot refuse
to believe my own eyes; and shall remember it as long as I live, and
never cease to bless Heaven for sending you to me, instead of to any
other prince.'

PRINCE BEDER AND THE PRINCESS GIAUHARA.

Young Prince Beder was brought up and educated in the palace under
the care of the King and Queen of Persia. He gave them great pleasure
as he advanced in years by his agreeable manners, and by the justness
of whatever he said; King Saleh his uncle, the queen his grandmother,
and the princesses his relations, came from time to time to see him. He
was easily taught to read and write, and was instructed in all the
sciences that became a prince of his rank.
When he arrived at the age of fifteen he was very wise and prudent.
The king, who had almost from his cradle discovered in him these
virtues so necessary for a monarch, and who moreover began to
perceive the infirmities of old age coming upon himself every day,
would not wait till death gave him possession of the throne, but
purposed to resign it to him. He had no great difficulty to make his
council consent to it; and the people heard this with so much the more
joy, because they considered Prince Beder worthy to govern them.
They saw that he treated all mankind with that goodness which invited

them to approach him; that he heard favourably all who had anything to
say to him; that he answered everybody with a goodness that was
peculiar to him; and that he refused nobody anything that had the least
appearance of justice.
The day for the ceremony was appointed. In the midst of the whole
assembly, which was larger than usual, the King of Persia, then sitting
on his throne, came down from it, took the crown from off his head, put
it on that of Prince Beder, and having seated him in his place, kissed his
hand, as a token that he resigned his authority to him. After which he
took his place among the crowd of viziers and emirs below the throne.
Hereupon the viziers, emirs, and other principal officers, came
immediately and threw themselves at the new king's feet, taking each
the oath of fidelity according to their rank. Then the grand vizier made
a report of various important matters, on which the young king gave
judgment with admirable prudence and sagacity that surprised all the
council. He next turned out several governors convicted of
mal-administration, and put others in their place, with wonderful and
just discernment. He at length left the council, accompanied by the late
king his father, and went to see his mother, Queen Gulnare. The queen
no sooner saw him coming with his crown upon his head, than she ran
to him, and