148 xa Prince Camaralzaman and

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show to a stranger; but I desire your majesty to believe that I would
not have come from so remote a country as I have done, the name of
which perhaps may be unknown in your dominions, if I had not been
certain of the cure I propose. What would not the world say of my
fickleness, if, after such great fatigues and dangers as I have under-
gone on this account, I should abandon the enterprise? Even your
majesty would soon lose that esteem you have conceived for me. If
I must die, sir, I shall die with the satisfaction of not having lost
your esteem after I have merited it. I beseech your majesty
therefore to keep me no longer impatient to display the certainty
of my art.’

Then the king commanded the officer who had the custody of the
princess to introduce Prince Camaralzaman into her apartment: but
before he would let him go, he reminded him once more that he was
at libecty to renounce his design ; yet the prince paid no heed, but,
with astonishing resolution and eagerness, followed the officer.

When they came to a long gallery, at the end of which was the
princess’s apartment, the prince, who saw himself so near the object
of the wishes which had occasioned him so many tears, pushed: on,
and got before the officer.

The officer, redoubling his pace, with much ado got up with him.
‘Whither away so fast?’ cried he, taking him by the arm; ‘you
cannot get in without me: and it would seem that you have a great
desire for death thus to run to it headlong. Not one of all those
many astrologers and magicians I have introduced before made
such haste as yourself to a place whither I fear you ,will come
but too soon.’ ae his

‘Friend, replied the Prince, looking earnestly at the officer,
and continuing his pace, ‘this was because none of the astrologers
you speak of were so sure of their art as I am of mine: they
were certain, indeed, that they would die if they did not succeed,
but they had no certainty of their success. On this account