the Princess Nouronnihar : SF 73

 

 

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all the world ; and he believed that, if he should neglect it, he would
never meet again with such another rarity. He said to the crier, eT
am very sorry that I should have entertained so bad an opinion of
you, but hope to make you amends by buying the tube, so tell me the
lowest price the seller has fixed upon it. Come with me, and I will
pay you the money.’ The crier assured him that his last orders were
to take no less than forty purses; and, if he disputed the truth of
what he said, he would-take him to his employer. The prince
believed him, took him to the khan where he nae ponnied. out
the money, and received the tube. |

Prince Ali was overjoyed at his bargain ; and persuaded himselt

that, as his brothers would not be able to meet with anything so rare |

- and marvellous, the Princess Nouronnihar would be his wife. He

thought now of visiting the court of Persia zcognito, and seeing

whatever was curious in and about Schiraz, till the caravan with

. which he came returned back to the Indies. . When the caravan was
ready to set out, the ‘prince.joined them, and arrived without any
accident or trouble at the place of rendezvous, where he found Prince
Houssain, and both waited for Prince Ahmed.

Prince Ahmed took the road to Samarcand; and the day after
his arrival there went, as his brothers. had done, into the bezestein.
He had not walked long before he heard a. crier, who had an
artificial apple in his hand, cry it at five-and-thirty purses. He
stopped the crier, and said to him, ‘Let me see that apple, and
tell me what virtue or extraordinary property it has, to be valued
at so. high a rate.’

‘ Sir” said the crier, puting it into his hand, ‘if you look at
_ the outside of this apple, it is very ordinary; but if you consider
the great use and benefit it is to mankind, you will say it is
invaluable. He who possesses it is master of a great treasure. It
. cures all sick persons of the most mortal diseases, fever, pleurisy,

plague, or other malignant distempers; and, if the patient is dying, »