2 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS’ ENTERTAINMENTS.

After a separation of ten years Schah-riar ardently desired to see his
brother, and sent his first vizier,! with a splendid embassy, to invite
him to revisit his court. Schah-zenan, being informed of the approach
of the vizier, went out to meet him, with all his ministers, most
magnificently dressed for the occasion, and urgently inquired after the
health of the sultan, his brother. Having replied to these affectionate
inquiries, the vizier unfolded the more especial purpose of his coming.
8chah-zenan, who was much affected at the kindness and recollection
of his brother, then addressed the vizier in these words: ‘ Sage vizier,
the sultan my brother does me too much honour. It is impossible
that his wish to see me can exceed my anxious desire of again behold-
ing him. You have come at an opportune moment. My kingdom is
tranquil, and in ten days’ time I will be ready to depart with you.
In the meanwhile pitch your tents on this spot. I will take care and
order every refreshment and accommodation for you and your whole
train.’

At the end of ten days everything was ready. Schah-zenan took a
tender leave of the queen, his consort, and, accompanied by such officers
as he had appointed to attend him, left Samarcand in the evening, to
be near the tents of his brother’s ambassador, with the intention of
proceeding on his journey early on the following morning. Wishing,
however, once more to see his queen, whom he tenderly loved, and
whom he believed to return his love with an equal affection, he re-
turned privately to the palace, and went directly to her apartment,
when, to his extreme grief, he found that she loved another man, and
he a slave, better than himself. The unfortunate monarch, yielding to
the first outburst of his indignation, drew his scimitar, and with one
rapid stroke changed their sleep into déath. After that he threw
their dead bodies into the foss or great ditch that surrounded the

alace.

i Having thus satisfied his revenge, he went from the city as privately
as he entered it, and returned to his pavilion. On his arrival, he did
not mention to anyone what had happened, but ordered the tents to be
struck, and began his journey. It was scarcely daylight when they
commenced their march to the sound of drums and other instruments.
The whole train was filled with joy, except the king, who could think
of nothing but his queen’s misconduct, and he became a prey to the
deepest grief and melancholy during the whole journey.

When he approached the capital of Persia, be perceived the Sultan
Schah-riar and all his court coming out to greet him. What joyful
sensations arose in their breasts at this fraternal meeting! They
alighted and embraced each other ; and after a thousand expressions of
regard, they remounted and entered the city amidst the acclamations
of the multitude. The sultan conducted the king his brother to a palace
which had been prepared for him. It communicated by a garden with

1 Vazir, Vezir—literally, a porter, i.e. the minister who bears the principal
burden of the State—D’Herbelot, ‘ Bibliotheque Orientale.’