a6o THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

reasonable and prudent; he therefore summoned his son to
attend him as soon as the grand vizier had taken his leave.

“My son,” said he, in a tone intended to inspire him with
confidence, “do you know on what account I sent for you? I
did it to acquaint you, that I wish you to marry: what do you
think of it ?”

Prince Camaralzaman heard these words with great concern.
After some moments passed in silence, he said, “Sire, I entreat
you to pardon me, if I appear confused at the declaration your
majesty has just made ; I did not expect it at my very youthful
age. I do not even know whether I shall ever be able to submit
myself to the bonds of marriage, for I am well aware of the em-
barrassment and trouble occasioned by women. Perhaps I may
not always remain of this opinion ; at any rate, I feel that I
should require a considerable length of time to induce me to
agree to what your majesty requires of me.”

This answer of the prince extremely afflicted the sultan his
father. This monarch felt real grief at finding in his son se
great a repugnance to matrimony. However, he said no more
at the time, but at the expiration of a year, he took him aside.
“Well, my son,” said he, “have you remembered to make your
reflections on the design I formed last year of marrying you?
Will you still refuse me the joy I should experience from your
compliance with my wishes, and do you intend that I should die
without experiencing this satisfaction ?”

The prince replied in these words :—“I have not, sire,
omitted to reflect upon the subject ; but, after having maturely
considered it, I am still more confirmed in my resolution to live
without any matrimonial engagement.”

Schahzaman, who was very anxious to see his son marry and
ascend the throne, could with difficulty restrain himself from
using violence, after the obstinate way in which the prince his
son had expressed himself, and would have ordered him some
punishment ; but he tenderly loved him, and wished to employ
every gentle means of persuasion before he had recourse to more
rigid methods.

He went, therefore, to the apartment of the prince’s mother,
and told her of the ardent desire he had of marrying his son,
and the painful disappointment he had just met with from this
second refusal