2 of _ The King of Persia

 

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. The slave hearing somebody walk in
_ the room, immediately turned her head to see who it was. She knew