Marzavan gave great attention to all that the grand vizier said, and was infinitely rejoiced to find that, by means of his shipwreck, he had so fortunately met with the person he was looking after.  He saw no reason to doubt but that prince Camaralzaman was the man the princess of China was in love with; therefore, without discovering any thing further to the vizier, he desired to see him, whereby, he said, he might be better able to judge of his distemper.  Follow me then, said the grand vizier, and you will find the king with him, who has already desired I should introduce you to him.

The first thing that startled Marzavan, at his entrance into the prince’s chamber, was to find him upon his bed languishing, and with his eyes shut.  Although he saw him in that condition, and although the king his father was sitting by him, he could not help crying out, Heavens! was there ever a greater resemblance than this!  He meant in their faces; for it seems the princess and prince were much alike.

These words of Marzavan excited the prince’s curiosity so far, that he vouchsafed to open his eyes, and look upon him.  Marzavan, who had a great deal of wit, laid hold of that opportunity, and made his compliment in verse extempore; which nevertheless he did in such a disguised manner, that neither the king nor grand vizier understood any thing of the matter.  However, he represented so nicely what had happened to the princess of China, that the prince had no room to doubt but he knew the object of his love, and could give him tidings of her.  This made him so joyful, that the effects of it plentifully showed themselves in his eyes and looks.

After Marzavan had finished his compliment in verse, which surprised prince Camaralzaman so agreeably, his highness took the liberty to make a sign to the king his father to quit the place where he was, and let Marzavan sit by him.

The king, overjoyed at this alteration, which gave him hopes of his son’s speedy recovery, quitted his place; and taking Marzavan by the hand, led him to it, requesting him to be seated.  Then his majesty demanded of him who he was, and whence he came; and upon Marzavan’s answering he was a subject of China, and came from that kingdom, the king immediately cried out, Heaven grant you may be able to withdraw my son from this profound melancholy! and I shall have eternal obligations to you, which I will do my utmost to gratify beyond what was ever done.  Having said this, he left the prince to entertain himself with the stranger, while he went and rejoiced with the grand vizier on this happy meeting.

Marzavan, leaning down to the prince, spoke low in his ear thus:  My lord, said he, it is high time your highness should cease to grieve.  I know the lady on whose account you lament so bitterly; it is the princess Badoura, daughter of Gaiour king of China.  Of this I can assure your highness, both on account of what she has told me of her adventure, and what I have learned of yours.  You may also depend upon it that she has undergone no less on your account than you have done on hers.  Here he began to relate all that he knew of the princess, from the fatal time of their interview after so an extraordinary a manner.