Fairy Tales from the Arabian Nights

䇼
Tales From The Arabian Nights, by E. Dixon

Project Gutenberg's Fairy Tales From The Arabian Nights, by E. Dixon Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook.
This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the header without written permission.
Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is important information about your specific rights and restrictions in how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved.
**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts**
**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971**
*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!*****
Title: Fairy Tales From The Arabian Nights
Author: E. Dixon
Release Date: July, 2005 [EBook #8599] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on July 27, 2003]
Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARABIAN NIGHTS FAIRY TALES ***

Produce by Wendy Crockett and JC Byers

Fairy Tales from the Arabian Nights. First Series.

Edited by E. Dixon

Note.
The text of the present selection from the Arabian Nights is that of Galland, 1821, slightly abridged and edited. The edition is designed virginibus puerisque.
E. DIXON. Cambridge, Xmas, 1893.

CONTENTS.
The King of Persia and the Princess of the Sea Prince Beder and the Princess Giauhara (A Sequel to the Foregoing) The Three Princes and Princess Nouronnihar Prince Ahmed and the Fairy (A Sequel to the Foregoing) Prince Camaralzaman and the Princess of China The Loss of the Talisman (A Sequel to the Foregoing) The Story of Zobeide The Story of the King's Son The First Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor The Second Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor The Third Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor The Fourth Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor The Fifth Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor The Sixth Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor

THE KING OF PERSIA AND THE PRINCESS OF THE SEA.

There once was a king of Persia, who at the beginning of his reign had distinguished himself by many glorious and successful conquests, and had afterwards enjoyed such profound peace and tranquillity as rendered him the happiest of monarchs. His only occasion for regret was that he had no heir to succeed him in the kingdom after his death. One day, according to the custom of his royal predecessors during their residence in the capital, he held an assembly of his courtiers, at which all the ambassadors and strangers of renown at his court were present. Among these there appeared a merchant from a far-distant country, who sent a message to the king craving an audience, as he wished to speak to him about a very important matter. The king gave orders for the merchant to be instantly admitted; and when the assembly was over, and all the rest of the company had retired, the king inquired what was the business which had brought him to the palace.
'Sire,' replied the merchant, 'I have with me, and beg your majesty to behold, the most beautiful and charming slave it would be possible to find if you searched every corner of the earth; if you will but see her, you will surely wish to make her your wife.'
The fair slave was, by the king's commands, immediately brought in, and no sooner had the king beheld a lady whose beauty and grace surpassed anything he had ever imagined, than he fell passionately in love with her, and determined to marry her at once. This was done.
So the king caused the fair slave to be lodged in the next finest apartment to his own, and gave particular orders to the matrons and the women-slaves appointed to attend her, that they should dress her in the richest robe they could find, and carry her the finest pearl necklaces, the brightest diamonds, and other the richest precious stones, that she might choose those she liked best.
The King of Persia's capital was situated in an island; and his palace, which was very magnificent, was built upon the sea-shore; his window looked towards the sea; and the fair slave's, which was pretty near it, had also the same prospect, and it was the more pleasant on account of the sea's beating almost against the foot of the wall.
At the end of three days the fair slave, magnificently dressed, was alone in her chamber, sitting upon a sofa, and leaning against one of the windows that faced the sea, when the king, being informed that he might visit her, came in.