60 Be Prince Beder and
JT

Queen Gulnare did not at first comprehend what marriage he
meant; but after a little considering, she said, ‘Of yours, you
mean, son? I consent to it with all my heart.’ Then turning, and
looking on her brother’s sea attendants, and the genies who were
still present, ‘Go, said she, ‘and traverse both sea and land, to
find out the most lovely and ,amiable princess, worthy of the king
my. son, and come and tell us.’

‘Madam, replied King Beder, ‘it is to no purpose for them to
take all that pains. You have no doubt heard that I have already
given my heart to the Princess of Samandal. I have seen her, and
do not repent of the present I then made her. In a word, neither
earth nor sea, in my opinion, can furnish a princess like her. It is
true that she treated me in a way that would have extinguished any
affection less strong than mine. But I hold her excused ; she could
not treat me with less rigour, after I had had the king her father
imprisoned. But it may be the King of Samandal has changed
his mind; and his daughter the princess may consent to love me
when she sees her father has agreed to it.’

‘Son, replied Queen Gulnare, ‘if only the Princess Giauhara
can make you happy, it is not my design to oppose you. The
king your uncle need only have the King of Samandal brought,
and we shall soon see whether he be still of the same untract-
able temper.’

Strictly as the King of Samandal had been kept during his
captivity by King Saleh’s orders, yet he always had great respect
shown him, and was become very familiar with the officers who
guarded him. King Saleh caused a chafing-dish of coals to be
brought, into which he threw a certain composition, uttering at
the ‘same time some mysterious words. As soon as the smoke
began to arise, the palace shook, and immediately the King of
Samandal, with King Saleh’s officers, appeared. The King of
Persia cast himself at the King of Samandal’s feet, and kneeling