he never had been attacked; and his strength will return to him forthright, and after smelling this fruit he will be free from all ailment and malady so long as life shall remain to him.”  Quoth Prince Ahmad, “How shall I be assured that what thou speakest is truth?  If the matter be even as thou sayest, then verily I will give thee right gladly the sum thou demandest.”  Quoth the broker, “O my lord, all men who dwell in the parts about Samarkand know full well how there once lived in this city a sage of wondrous skill who, after many years of toil and travail, wrought this apple by mixing medicines from herbs and minerals countless in number.  All his good, which was great, he expended upon it, and when he had perfected it he made whole thousands of sick folk whom he directed only to smell the fruit.  But, alas! his life presently came to an end and death overtook him suddenly ere he could save himself by the marvellous scent; and, as he had won no wealth and left only a bereaved wife and a large family of young children and dependents manifold, his widow had no help but provide for them a maintenance by parting with this prodigy.”  While the salesman was telling his tale to the Prince a crowd of citizens gathered around them and one amongst the folk, who was well known to the broker, came forward and said, “A friend of mine lieth at home sick to the death:  the doctors and surgeons all despair of his life; so I beseech thee let him smell this fruit that he may live.”  Hearing these words, Prince Ahmad turned to the salesman and said, “O my friend, if this sick man of whom thou hearest can recover strength by smelling the apple, then will I straightway buy it of thee at a valuation of forty thousand Ashrafis.”  The man had permission to sell it for a sum of thirty-five thousand; so he was satisfied to receive five thousand by way of brokerage, and he rejoined, “’Tis well, O my lord, now mayest thou test the virtues of this apple and be persuaded in thy mind:  hundreds of ailing folk have I made whole by means of it.”  Accordingly the Prince accompanied the people to the sick man’s house and found him lying on his bed with the breath in his nostrils; but, as soon as the dying man smelt the fruit, at once recovering strength he rose in perfect health, sane and sound.  Hereupon Ahmad bought the Magical Apple of the dealer and counted out to him the forty thousand Ashrafis.  Presently, having gained the object of his travels, he resolved to join some caravan marching Indiawards and return to his father’s home; but meanwhile he resolved to solace himself with the sights and marvels of Samarkand.  His especial joy was to gaze upon the glorious plain highs Soghd,[FN#328] one of the wonders of this world:  the land on all sides was a delight to the sight, emerald-green and bright, with crystal rills like the plains of Paradise; the gardens bore all manner flowers and fruits and the cities and palaces gladdened the stranger’s gaze.  After some days Prince