and the Princess of the Sea 5 ome 13

—j-—-—

 

Besides, I have a child, the little Prince Beder. I hope then
neither my mother, nor you, nor any of my cousins, will disapprove
of the resolution or the alliance I have made, which will be an equal
honour to the kings of the sea and the earth. Excuse me for
giving you the trouble of coming hither from the bottom of the
deep, to communicate it to you, and for the pleasure of seeing: you
after so long a separation.’

‘Sister, replied King Saleh, ‘the proposal I made you Of going
back with us into my kingdom was only to let you see how
much we all love you, and how much I in particular honour you,
and that nothing in the world is so dear to me as your happiness.’

The queen confirmed what her son had just spoken, and
addressing herself to Queen Gulnare, said, ‘I am very glad to hear
you are pleased; and I have nothing else to add to what your
brother has just said to you.. I should have been the first to have
condemned you, if you had not expressed all the gratitude you owe
to a monarch that loves you so Tess one, and has done such great
things for you.’

When the King of Persia, who was still in the recess heard this
he began to love her more than ever, and resolved to express his —
gratitude in every possible way.

Presently Queen Gulnare clapped her hands, and in came some of
her slaves, whom she had ordered to bring in a meal: as soon as it
was served up, she invited the queen her mother, the king her
brother, and her cousins, to sit down and take part of it. They
began to reflect, that without asking leave, they had got into the
palace of a mighty king, who had never seen nor heard of them, and
that it would be a great piece of rudeness to eat at his table without
him. This reflection raised a blush in their faces; in their emotion
their eyes glowed like fire, and they breathed fe at their mouths
and nostrils,

‘This unexpected sight put the King of Persia, who was totally