64 =e The Three Princes and

younger would consent to yield to their elder brother. He spoke
to each of them apart; and after having remonstrated on the
impossibility of one princess being the wife of three persons, and
the troubles they would create if they persisted, he did all he could
to persuade them to abide by a declaration of the princess in favour
of one of them; or to suffer her to be married to a foreign prince.
But as he found them. obstinate, he sent for them all together,
and said to them, ‘Children, since I have not been able to persuade
you no longer to aspire to marry the princess your cousin ; and
as I have no inclination to force her to marry any of you, I have
thought of a’plan which will please you all, and preserve union
among ‘you, if you will but follow my advice. I‘ think it would
be best, if every one travelled separately into a different country,
so that you might not meet. each other: and as you know I
delight in every thing that is rare-and singular, I promise my
niece in marriage to hin that. shall bring me the most extra-
ordinary curiosity ; and for travelling expenses, I will give each
of you a sum befitting your’ rank and the” purchase of the
curidsity you search.’

As the three princes were shies submissive and gbedient to
the sultan’s will, and each flattered himself that fortune would
‘favour him, they all consented. The sultan gave them the money
he promised ; and that very day they issued ‘orders in preparation
for their travels, and took leave of the sultan, that they might be
ready to set out early the next-morning. They all went out at
“the same: gate of the city, each dressed like a merchant, attended
‘by a trusty officer dressed like a. slave, all well) mounted and —
equipped: They went’ the first’ day’s journey together; and
slept: at the first inn, where the road divided into : three. different
“tracks. At night when they were at supper together, they agreed
to travel for a year, and to make that inn their rendezvous; that
the first that- came should wait for the rest; that as they had all