444 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

hours and a half he discovered the capital of Persia. He did
not descend in the great square from whence he had departed,
but in a sort of country house, at a little distance from the city.
He led the princess into a most beautiful apartment, and told
her that in order to secure to her those honours and that respect
which were due to her rank, he should immediately go to the
king his father, and acquaint him of her arrival; in the mean-
time he gave orders to the steward of the palace, who was pre-
sent, to provide everything that the princess could possibly re-
quire.

Having left her in this apartment, Prince Firouz Schah de-
sired the steward to get a horse saddled for him, which he
mounted and proceeded towards the palace. As he passed along
the road which led to the palace, he was received by the people
with every demonstration of joy, for they had despaired of ever
seeing him again. The king his father was giving an audience,
and was surrounded by his council, all the members of which,
as well as the king himself, were in mourning dresses, which
they had worn from the time of the prince’s disappearance,
when he presented himself before them. His father received
him with the most tender embraces, shedding tears of joy and
surprise ; he immediately inquired, with visible anxiety, what
was become of the Indian’s horse.

This question afforded the prince an opportunity of relating
to the king all the dangers and perils he had encountered, after
the horse rose with him in the air. He told him how he had
escaped by alighting on the palace of the princess of Bengal, and
the friendly reception he had met with from her. He did not
conceal the motives which had induced him to prolong his resi-
dence with her for a longer period than was propei, had he
consulted his duty alone; and enlarged on the desire she had
shewn in every instance to oblige him, so far as even to consent
to accompany him into Persia, after he had given her his solemn
promise to marry her. “And, sire,” continued the prince, as
he finisi.ed this account, “I at the same time assured her of
your consent to our union, and I have brought her with me on
the Indian’s horse. I left her in one of the palaces belonging to
your majesty, where she is anxiously awaiting my return.”

“My son,” said the king, “I not only give my consent to your
marrying the princess of Bengal, but I will go taher myself, and