THE HISTORY OF PRINCE ZEYN ALASNAM. 343

 

when he had the supreme authority, did his utmost to exterminate the
worship of fire, and to establish the Mahommedan religion throughout
his dominions.

 

THE HISTORY OF PRINCE ZEYN ALASNAM
AND THE SULTAN OF THE GENII.

TuERE was a Sultan of Bussorah, blessed with great prosperity, and
happy in the affections of his people. He had only one source of
affliction, that he was childless. He therefore gave large alms to the
dervises in his dominions, that they might offer their prayers for the
birth of a son. Their prayers were effectual, and a son was born to
him and to his queen, whom he named Zeyn Alasnam, which signifies
‘Ornament of the Statues.’

The sultan caused all the astrologers in his kingdom to be assembled,
and ordered them to calculate the infant’s nativity. They found by
their observations that he would live long, and be very brave; but
that all his courage would be little enough to carry him through the
misfortunes that threatened him. The sultan was not daunted at this
prediction.

‘My son,’ said he, ‘is not to be pitied, since he will be brave: it is
fit that princes should have a taste of misfortunes ; for adversity tries
virtue, and they are the better qualified to reign.’

He rewarded the astrologers, and dismissed them; and caused
Zeyn to be educated with the greatest care, that he might become a
great and accomplished prince. While, however, the prince was yet
young, the good sultan fell gick of a disorder, which all the skill of his
physicians could not cure. Perceiving his disease was mortal, he
sent for his son, and advised him to try to be loved rather than to
be feared; to avoid flatterers; and to be as slow in rewarding as in
punishing.

‘As soon as the mourning for his father was passed, Prince Zeyn began
to show that he was unfit to govern a kingdom. He gave way to all
kinds of dissipation, and conferred on his youthful but evil associates
the chief offices in the kingdom. He lost all the respect of his people,
and emptied his treasury.

The queen his mother, a discreet, wise princess, tried to correct her
son’s conduct, assuring him that, if he did not soon take another course,
he would occasion some revolution, which perhaps might cost him his
crown aud his life. What she thus predicted had nearly happened :
the people began to murmur against the government, and their murmurs
had certainly been followed by a general revolt if the sultan had not
listened to his mother, and suffered himself to be prevailed upon. He
dismissed his youthful advisers, and committed the government to