100 THE ARABIAN NIGATS’ ENTERTAINMENTS.
lifficulties in the way of the fulfilment of his wish through the pride of
her father, the King of Samandal, who would refuse the hand of his
daughter to any earth-born prince, however illustrious and powerful he
might be. King Beder, having set his mind on obtaining the hand of
this fair maiden, never ceased to weary his uncle with his complaints,
till he exacted a promise from him to set out and take him, without his
mother Queen Gulnare’s consent, to his own dominions, that he might
endeavour to obtain the object of his wishes. King Saleh, unable to
resist his nephew’s importunities, one day drew from his finger a ring,
on which were engraven the same mysterious names of God that were
upon Solomon’s seal, which had wrought so many wonders by their
virtue. ‘ Here, take this ring,’ said he; ‘put it on your finger, and fear
neither the waters of the sea nor their depth.’ The King of Persia
took the ring, and when he had put it on his finger, King Saleh said to
him, ‘DoasI do.’ At the same time they both mounted lightly up into
the air, and made towards the sea, which was not far distant, and plunged
into it.

The sea-king was not long in arriving at his palace, with the King of
Persia, whom he immediately carried to the queen’s apartment and pre-
sented to her. The queen then presented him to the princesses; and
while he was in conversation with them, she left him, and went with
King Saleh into another chamber, who told her how the King of Persia
was fallen in love with the Princess Jehaun-ara, upon the bare de-
scription of her beauty; that he had, against his own wishes, or the
knowledge of Queen Gulnare, brought him along with him, and that
he was going to concert measures to procure the princess for him in
marriage.

‘It were to have been wished,’ replied the queen, ‘that we had not
been under a necessity of making this demand, since the success of our
attempt is not so certain as we could desire; but since my grandson’s
peace and content depend upon it, I freely give my consent. But, above
all, I charge you, since you well know the humour of the King of
Samandal, that you take care to propitiate him with rich gifts worthy a
king to give and a king to receive.’

The queen prepared the present herself. It consisted of diamonds,
rubies, emeralds, and pearls, all which she put into a rich box. Next
morning King Saleh departed with a chosen troop of officers and atten-
dants. He soon arrived at the kingdom and the palace of the King of
Samandal, who delayed not to give him audience. He rose from his
throne as soon as he perceived him; and King Saleh, foregoing the
dignity of his own royal state to propitiate him with whom he had to
deal, prostrated himself at his feet, and having received the box of
jewels from one of his servants, opened it and presented it to the king,
imploring him to accept it for his sake.

‘Prince,’ replied the King of Samandal, ‘you would not make me
such a present unless you had a request proportionable to it to pro-
pose. If there be anything in my power to grant, you may freely