I come as a friend, replied the princess, and have nothing to complain against the king of the city of the magicians; his territories and mine are so situate, that it is almost impossible for our subjects to quarrel with one another, or we ourselves to have any dispute.  I only come to require a slave, named Assad, to be delivered up to me:  he was carried away by one Behram, a captain of a ship, the most insolent man in the world.  I hope your king will do me justice, especially when he knows that I am queen Margiana.

The prince answered, Mighty queen! the slave you take so much pains to seek is my brother; I lost him, and have found him again.  Come, madam, I will deliver him up to you myself, and will do myself the honour to tell you the rest of the story as we go to the king my master’s palace, who will rejoice to see you.

The queen ordered her army to pitch their tents, and encamp where they were; she then accompanied prince Amgrad to the city and palace-royal, where he presented her to the king, who received her as became his dignity and hers.  Assad, who was present, and knew her as soon as he saw her, also paid his duty to her; and she, at sight of him, showed all the marks of transporting joy.  While thus busied, news came that an army, more powerful than the former, was approaching on another side of the city.

The king of the magicians, understanding that the second army was more numerous than the first, was frightened to a greater degree than before; for the dust they made raised clouds in the air which almost obscured the face of heaven.  Amgrad, cried he, what shall we do?  A new army comes to destroy us!  Amgrad, guessing what the king would have of him, instantly mounted his horse again, and gallopped towards the second army.  He demanded of the advanced guards to speak with their general; they conducted him to their king, for such he perceived him to be by the crown he had on his head.  When he drew near, he threw himself on the ground, and asked what he would have with the king his master.

The monarch replied, I am Gaiour, king of China.  My desire to learn some tidings of a daughter whose name is Badoura, whom I married to Camaralzaman, you of Schahzaman, king of the isles of the Children of Khaledan, obliged me to leave my dominions.  I suffered that prince to go to see his father king Schahzaman, on condition that he came back in a year with my daughter, but have impatiently waited ever since without hearing any thing of them.  Your king will lay an infinite obligation on an afflicted father, by telling him if he knows what is become of them.

Prince Amgrad, perceiving by his discourse that the king was his grandfather, kissed his hand with tenderness, and answered him thus:  I hope your majesty will pardon my freedom, when you know that I take it only to pay my duty to my grandfather!  I am the son of Camaralzaman, king of the isle of Ebene, and of queen Badoura, for whom you are thus troubled; and I doubt not that they are both in good health in their kingdom.