The king, being much enraged at this, said in a great passion, Daughter, you are mad, and I must use you as such.  In a word, he shut her up in a certain apartment of one of the seven palaces, allowing only ten old women to wait upon her, to keep her company, the chief of whom had been her nurse.  And that the kings his neighbours, who had sent embassies to him on this account, might not think any more of her, he despatched envoys to them severally, to let them know how averse his daughter was to marriage; and as he did not doubt but she was really mad, he charged them to make it known in every court, that if there were any physician who would undertake to come and cure her, he should, if he succeeded, have her for his pains.

Fair Maimoune, said Danhasch, all is true that I have told you; and I, for my part, have not failed to go every day regularly to contemplate this incomparable beauty, whom I would be very far from doing any harm to, notwithstanding my natural propensity to mischief.  I would have you go to see her, continued he; I will assure you it would be worth your while, and doubt not but you will think yourself obliged to me for the sight, when you find I am no liar:  I am ready to wait on you as a guide, and you may command me as soon as you please.

Instead of answering Danhasch, Maimoune burst into a violent laughter, which lasted some time; and Danhasch, not knowing what might be the occasion of it, was not a little astonished.  When Maimoune ceased laughing, she cried, Good, good, very good; you would have me then believe all that you have told me:  I thought you designed to entertain me with something surprising and extraordinary, and you have been talking all this while like a driveller!  Ah! fie, fie!  What would you say, if you had seen the fine prince whom I am just come from, and whom I love with a passion equal to his desert?  I am confident you will soon give up the bell, and not pretend to compare your choice with mine.

Agreeable Maimoune, replied Danhasch, may I presume to ask you what this prince is called?  Know, answered Maimoune, an accident has happened to him much like that of your princess.  The king his father would have married him against his will; but, after many importunities, he frankly told the old gentleman he would have nothing to do with a wife.  This occasioned him to be put in a prison in an old tower, which I make my residence, and from whence I came but just now from admiring him.

I will not absolutely contradict you, my pretty lady, replied Danhasch; but you must give me leave to be of opinion, till I have seen the prince, that no mortal upon earth can equal the beauty of my princess.  Hold thy tongue, cursed spirit! replied Maimoune:  I tell thee, once more, that can never be.  I will not contend with you, said Danhasch; but the way to be convinced, is to accept of the proffer I make you to go and see my princess, and after that I will go with you to your prince.