an hundred maids of the daughters of Kings; for thou hast no need to the daughters of the Jann, over whom we lack controul and of kind other than ours.”  But he said, “I cannot renounce her nor will I seek other than her.”  Asked King Asim, “How then shall we do, O my son?”; and Sayf al-Muluk answered, “Bring us all the merchants and travellers and wanderers in the city, that we may question them thereof.  Peradventure, Allah will lead us to the city of Babel and the garden of Iram.”  So King Asim bade summon all the merchants in the city and strangers and seacaptains and, as each came, enquired of him anent the city of Babel and its peninsula[FN#391] and the garden of Iram; but none of them knew these places nor could any give him tidings thereof.  However, when the seance broke up, one of them said, “O King of the Age, an thou be minded to ken this thing, up and hie thee to the land of China; for it hath a vast city[FN#392] and a safe, wherein are store of rarities and things of price and folk of all kinds; and thou shalt not come to the knowledge of this city and garden but from its folk; it may be one of them will direct thee to that thou seekest.”  Whereupon quoth Sayf al-Muluk, “O my sire, equip me a ship, that I may fare to the China-land; and do thou rule the reign in my stead.”  Replied the old King, “O my son, abide thou on the throne of thy kingship and govern thy commons, and I myself will make the voyage to China and ask for thee of the city of Babel and the garden of Iram.”  But Sayf al-Muluk rejoined, “O my sire, in very sooth this affair concerneth me and none can search after it like myself:  so, come what will, an thou give me leave to make the voyage, I will depart and wander awhile.  If I find trace or tidings of her, my wish will be won, and if not, belike the voyage will broaden my breast and recruit my courage; and haply by foreign travel my case will be made easy to me, and if I live, I shall return to thee safe and sound.”—­And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

    When it was the Seven Hundred and Sixty-fourth Night,

She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Sayf al-Muluk said to his sire King Asim, “Equip me a ship that I may fare therein to the China-land and search for the object of my desire.  If I live I shall return to thee safe and sound.”  The old King looked at his son and saw nothing for it but to do what he desired; so he gave him the leave he wanted and fitted him forty ships, manned with twenty thousand armed Mamelukes, besides servants, and presented him with great plenty of money and necessaries and warlike gear, as much as he required.  When the ships were laden with water and victual, weapons and troops, Sayf al-Muluk’s father and mother farewelled him and King Asim said, “Depart, O my son, and travel in weal and health and safety.  I commend thee to Him with Whom deposits are not lost."[FN#393] So the Prince bade adieu to his parents and embarked,