The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 13 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 802 pages of information about The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 13.

The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 13 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 802 pages of information about The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 13.
and on the fourth come back to me without fail.”  Accordingly, on the next day betimes in the morning Prince Ahmad took his departure and as aforetime rode forth with abundant pomp and parade and repaired to the palace of the Sultan his sire, to whom he made his obeisance.  On like manner continued he to do each month with a suite of horsemen larger and more brilliant than before, whilst he himself was more splendidly mounted and equipped.  And whenever the Crescent appeared in the Western sky he fondly farewelled his wife and paid his visit to the King, with whom he tarried three whole days, and on the fourth returned to dwell with Peri-Banu.  But, as each and every time he went, his equipage was greater and grander than the last, at length one of the Wazirs, a favourite and cup-companion of the King, was filled with wonderment and jealousy to see Prince Ahmad appear at the palace with such opulence and magnificence.  So he said in himself, “None can tell whence cometh this Prince, and by what means he hath obtained so splendid a suite.”  Then of his envy and malice that Wazir fell to plying the King with deceitful words and said, “O my liege lord and mighty sovran, it ill becometh thee to be thus heedless of Prince Ahmad’s proceedings.  Seest thou not how day after day his retinue increaseth in numbers and puissance?  What an he should plot against thee and cast thee into prison, and take from thee the reins of the realm?  Right well thou wottest that inasmuch as thou didst wed Prince Ali to the Lady Nur al-Nihar thou provokedest the wrath of Prince Husayn and Prince Ahmad; so that one of them in the bitterness of his soul renounced the pomps and vanities of this world and hath become a Fakir, whilst the other, to wit; Prince Ahmad, appeareth before thy presence in such inordinate power and majesty.  Doubtless they both seek their revenge; and, having gotten thee into their power, the twain will deal treacherously with thee.  So I would have thee beware, and again I say beware; and seize the forelock of opportunity ere it be too late; for the wise have said,

’Thou canst bar a spring with a sod of clay * But when grown ‘twill bear a big host away.’”

Thus spake that malicious Wazir; and presently he resumed, “Thou knowest also that when Prince Ahmad would end his three days’ visits he never asketh thy leave nor farewelleth thee nor biddeth adieu to any one of his family.  Such conduct is the beginning of rebellion and proveth him to be rancorous of heart.  But ’tis for thee in thy wisdom to decide.”  These words sank deep in the heart of the simple-minded Sultan and grew a crop of the direst suspicions.  He presently thought within himself, “Who knoweth the mind and designs of Prince Ahmad, whether they be dutiful or undutiful towards me?  Haply he may be plotting vengeance; so it besitteth me to make enquiries concerning him, to discover where he dwelleth and by what means he hath attained to such puissance and opulence.” 

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The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 13 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.