the Princess of China | } we 147

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professions in the world, or that there were no more so mad as those
that had gone before them.

The prince’s good mien, noble air, and blooming youth made
‘everybody that saw him pity him. ‘What mean you, sir, said some -
that were nearest to him, ‘thus to expose a life of such promising
expectation to certain death? Cannot the heads you see on all the
gates of this city deter you from such an undertaking? Consider
-what you do: abandon this rash attempt, and be gone.’

The prince continued firm, notwithstanding all these remon-
strances; and as he saw nobody come to introduce him, he repeated
the same cry with a boldness that made everybody tremble. Then
they all cried, ‘Let him alone, he is resolved to die; God have mercy
upon his youth and his soul!’ He then proceeded to cry out a third
time in the same manner, when the grand vizier came in person, and
introduced him to the King of China.

As. soon as the prince came into the king’s presence, he bowed
and kissed the ground. The king, who, of all that had hitherto
presumptuously exposed their lives on this occasion, had not seen
one worthy to cast his eyes upon, felt real compassion for Prince
Camaralzaman on account of the danger he was about to undergo,
But as he thought him more deserving than ordinary, he showed him
more honour, and made him come and sit by him. ‘Young man,’
said he, ‘I can hardly believe that you, at this age, can have acquired
experience enough to dare attempt the cure of my daughter. I wish
you may succeed; and would give her to you in marriage with all my.
heart, with the greatest joy, more willingly than I should have done
to others that have offered themselves before you ; but'I must declare
to you at the same time, with great concern, that if you do not
succeed in your attempt, notwithstanding your noble appearance and
your youth you must lose your head.’

«Sir replied the prince, ‘I am under infinite obligations to your
majesty for the honour you design me, and the great goodness you

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