After the princess had done speaking, Marzavan, filled with wonder and astonishment, continued for some time with his eyes fixed on the ground, without speaking a word; but at length lifting his head, he said, If it be as your highness says, and which I do not in the least doubt, I hope to procure the satisfaction you desire; but I must first entreat your highness to arm yourself with patience till I return; for I am resolved to set out in quest of this person, and, at my return, you may expect to see the object of your love.  So saying, Marzavan took leave of the princess, and set out next morning on his intended tour.  He travelled from city to city, from province to province, and from island to island; and, in every place through which he passed, he could hear of nothing but the princess Badoura (the princess of China’s name) and her history.

About four months after, our traveller arrived at Torf, a seaport town, both great and populous, where he no more heard of the princess Badoura, all the talk being of prince Camaralzaman, who was sick, and whose history was very similar to that of the princess.  Marzavan was extremely glad to hear this, and informed himself of the place where the prince was to be found, to which he might have gone either by land or sea, or by sea only; but the last was the shortest way.

Marzavan chose the latter, and, embarking on board a merchant ship, arrived safe in sight of King Schahzaman’s capital; but, on entering the port, his ship happened to strike upon a rock, when it foundered, and sunk in sight of prince Camaralzaman’s castle, where the king and his grand vizier were at that time.

Marzavan could swim very well; he therefore immediately cast himself into the sea on the ship’s sinking, and got safe on shore under the castle, where he was soon relieved by the grand vizier’s order.  After changing his clothes, and being well treated, he was introduced to the grand vizier, who had sent for him.

Marzavan being a young man of good address, and of a good air, this minister was very civil to him, especially when he heard him give such just and pertinent answers to what was asked of him:  he also perceived he was learned; therefore said to him, From what I can understand, you have travelled a great way, and must needs have acquired much knowledge:  I would to God you had learned any secret for curing a certain malady, which has greatly afflicted this court for a long while!

Marzavan replied, if he knew what malady that was, he might perhaps find a remedy for it.

Then the grand vizier related to him the whole story of prince Camaralzaman from its origin, and concealed nothing of his desired birth, his education, the great inclination the king his father had to see him early married, his aversion to marriage, his disobeying his father in full council, his imprisonment, and his pretended extravagances in prison, which, be said, were afterwards changed into a violent passion for a certain unknown lady, who he pretended had exchanged a ring with him, though, for his part, he verily believed there was no such person in the world.