(480 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

One of the favourites then spoke in the name of the rest:
“In order, sire, to counteract this evil, as your majesty knows
the person who is the author of it, as he is now in the very midst
of your court, and as you have the full power to do it, you ought
not to hesitate, but instantly arrest him; and I do not say to
take away his life, that perhaps would be going rather too
far, but at least to imprison him very closely for the rest of
his life” All the other favourites were unanimous in applaud-
ing this advice.

The enchantress, however, who thought this mode of proceed-
ing too violent, requested the sultan’s leave to say a few words ;
and when she had obtained it, she said, “I am persuaded, sire,
that it is from the zealous interest which these counsellors have
in your majesty’s welfare, that they are induced to propose to
you the arrest and imprisonment of Prince Ahmed ; but I trust
they will agree with me, in thinking it necessary, when they
arrest the prince, to arrest also all those who accompany him ;
but you must reflect that these are genii. Do you think it will
be an easy matter to surprise them, and seize their persons?
Will they not instantly disappear, by means of the power they
possess of rendering themselves invisible? And will they not
instantly go and inform the fairy of the insult you have offered
to her husband? And she is not to be insulted without danger
of her bitterest revenge? But if, by some other less violent
method, the sultan can secure himself from the wicked designs
that Prince Ahmed may form against him, without the least
danger of sullying his majesty’s glory, or of any person sus-
pecting that he has any ill design on his part, would it not be
right to pursue that method? If his majesty has any confi-
dence in my advice, he will induce Prince Ahmed, from a point
of honour, to procure him certain advantages through the power
of his fairy, under a pretence of deriving a considerable benefit
from them, as genii and fairies can easily accomplish things
that are far above the power of mortals. For instance, every
time your majesty wishes to take the field, you are obliged to
be at a considerable expense, not only for pavilions and tents
for yourself and army, but aiso for camels, mules, and other
beasts of burthen, only to carry ail this apparatus. Now, could
you not prevail upon him, through the great influence he has
aver the fairv, to procure a pavilion for you, so small, that it