320 & ' Prince Beder and
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personal good qualities, cannot be unknown to ‘you. Everybody

acknowledges the Princess Giuahara ‘to be the most beautiful person

in the world: but it is no less true that the young King of Persia,

my nephew, is the best and most accomplished prince on the land.

Thus the favour that is. asked being likely to redound both to

the honour of your majesty and the princess your daughter, you

ought not to doubt that your consent to an alliance so equal will

be unanimously approved in all the kingdoms of the sea. The

princess is worthy of the King of Persia, and the King of Persia is

no less worthy of her. No king or prince in the world can dispute

her with him, ee

The King of Samandal would not have let King Saleh go on so
long after this rate, had not the rage he put him in deprived him of
all power of speech. It was some time before he could find his
tongue, so much was he transported with passion. At length, how-
ever, he broke into outrageous language, unworthy of a great king.
‘Dog!’ cried he, ‘dare you talk to me after this manner, and so
much as mention my daughter’s name in my presence? Can
you think the son of your sister Gulnare worthy to come in
competition with my daughter? Who are you? Who was your
father? Who is your sister? And who your nephew? Was
not his father.a dog, and a son of a dog, like you? Guards, seize
the. insolent wretch, and cut off his head’

The few officers that were about the King of Samandal were
immediately going to obey his orders, when. King Saleh, who was
nimble and vigorous, got from them. before they could draw their
sabres; and having: reached the palace gate, he there found a
thousand men of his relations and friends, well armed and equipped,
who had just arrived. The queen his mother having considered the
small number of attendants he took with him, and, moreover, fore-
seeing the bad reception he would ‘probably have from the King of
Samandal, had sent these troops. to protect and defend him in