76 oh The Three Princes and

 

I can see nothing but an ordinary piece of carpet, with which you
cover your sofa, and as you seem to make what you have brought
a secret, you cannot take it amiss that I do the same.’

‘I consider the rarity which I have purchased, replied Prince
Houssain, ‘to excel all others whatever, and should not have
any objection to show it you, and make you agree that it is so,
and at the same time tell you how I came by it, without being
in the least apprehensive that what you have got is better. But
we ought to wait till our brother Ahmed arrives, that we may
all communicate our good fortune to each other.’

Prince Ali would not enter into a dispute with Prince Houssain,
but was persuaded that, if his perspective glass were not preferable,
it was impossible it should be inferior, and therefore agreed . to
wait till Prince Ahmed arrived, to produce his purchase.

When Prince Ahmed came, they embraced’ and complimented
each other on the happiness of meeting together at the place they
set out from. Then Pririce Houssain, as the elder brother, said,
‘Brothers, we shall have time enough hereafter to entertain ourselves
with the particulars of our travels: let us come to that which is
of the greatest importance for us to know; let us. not conceal
from each other the curiosities we have brought home, but show

“them, that we may do ourselves: justice beforehand and see to
which of us the sultan our father may give the preference.

‘To set the example,’ continued Prince Houssain, ‘I will tell
you that the rarity which I have brought from my travels to’ the
kingdom of Bisnagar, is the carpet on which I sit, which looks but
ordinary and makes no show; but, when I have declared its virtues
to you, you will be struck swith admiration, and will confess you
never heard of anything like it. Whoever sits on it as we do,
and desires to be transported to any place, be it ever so far off,
is immediately, carried thither. I made the experiment myself
before I paid down the forty purses, and when I had fully satisfied.