284 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS’ ENTERTAINMENTS.

 

believed he was the only person in the world who had the secret of
opening the cave, and that all the treasure was at his sole disposal.
He put as much gold into his saddle-bag as his horse could carry, and
returned to town. Some years later he carried his son to the cave and
taught him the secret, which he handed down to his posterity, who,
using their good fortune with moderation, lived in great honour and
splendour.

THE HISTORY OF CODADAD AND
gee, HIS BROTHERS, AND OF THE
= PRINCESS OF DERYABAR.

  
 
  
 
  
 

OWN in the city of Harran there
once reigned a king who was blessed
with every earthly happiness. He
was rich, powerful, virtuous, and
most beloved by his subjects. Now
this monarch had fifty sons by his
different wives, the joint-heirs and
successors in his kingdom. He
loved them all with an equal affec-
tion, and brought them up in his
palace with great care; but he took
exception against one, and enter-
tained such an aversion against him

from his birth, that he sent him, with his

mother, to live and be brought up in the
court of the kingdom of Samaria, a distant
but friendly sovereign. The name of this
ye son was Codadad, and his mother’s name was Pirouze.

 

NI The King of Samaria spared nothing that might im-
aS prove the education of the young prince committed to
é& his care. He taught him to ride, draw the bow, and
A all other accomplishments becoming the son of a

€ / sovereign; so that Codadad, at eighteen years of age,
Gls was looked upon as a prodigy. The young prince,

being inspired with a courage worthy his high birth,
said one day to his mother, ‘Madam, I feel a passion for glory ; give
me leave to seek it amidst the perils of war. My father, the Sultan of