Then they embraced, and bid each other adieu with so much tenderness, that it was a long time before they could leave one another’s arms.  Prince Assad was the first who prepared himself for the fatal stroke.  Begin with me, Giendar, said he, that I may not have the affliction to see my clear brother Amgrad die.  Amgrad opposed him in this; and Giendar could not, without, weeping more than before, be witness of this dispute between them, which showed how perfect and sincere their friendship was.

They at last determined the contest by desiring Giendar to tie them together, and put them in the most convenient posture to kill them at one blow.  Do not refuse two unfortunate brothers the poor comfort of dying together, said the generous princes; for all things, even our innocence, are common between us.

Giendar agreed to it, and, as they desired, tied them to each ether, breast to breast, close; and when he had placed them so as he thought he might strike the blow with the more surety to answer their request, and cut off their heads at once, he asked if they had any thing to command him before they died?

We have only one thing to desire, replied the princes; which is, to assure our father, on your return, that we are innocent; but do not charge him with our deaths, knowing he is not well informed of the truth of the crime of which we are accused.

Giendar promised to do what they would have him, and drew his sabre.  His horse, being tied to a tree just by, started at the sight of the sabre, which glittered against the sun, broke his bridle, and ran away with all speed into the country.  Giendar set a great price upon him, being a very good horse; besides, being richly harnessed, the emir could not well bear the loss.  This accident so troubled him, that, instead of beheading the two princes, he threw down his sabre, and ran after his horse to catch him.

The horse gallopped on before him, and led him several miles out of his way into a wood.  Giendar followed, and the horse’s neighing roused a lion that was asleep not far off.  The lion started up, and, instead of running after the horse, made directly towards Giendar, who thought no more of his horse, but how to avoid the lion, and save his life.  He ran into the thickest of the wood, the lion pursuing him.  Driven to this extremity, he said to himself, Heaven had not punished me in this manner, but to show the innocence of the princes whom I was commanded to put to death; and now, to add to my misfortune, I have not my sabre to defend myself!

While Giendar was gone, the two princes were seized with a violent thirst, occasioned by the fear of death, notwithstanding their steadfast resolution to submit to the king their father’s cruel order.

Prince Amgrad showed his brother a fountain not far off.  Ah, brother! said Assad, we have but a short time to live, and what need have we to quench our thirst?  We can bear it a few minutes longer.