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.”