At these words the prince was ready to expire through grief, affliction, and fear.  However, he recovered himself, and asked the jeweller what resolution he would advise him to take in this conjuncture, every moment of which ought to be employed.  The jeweller told him, he thought nothing remained, but that he should immediately take horse, and hasten away towards Anbar, that he might get thither before day.  “Take what servants and swift horses you think necessary,” continued he, “and suffer me to escape with you.”

The prince, seeing nothing more to be done, immediately gave orders to prepare such an equipage as would be least troublesome; took money and jewels, and having taken leave of his mother, departed with the jeweller and such servants as he had chosen.

They travelled all night without stopping, till at length, both their horses and themselves being spent with so long a journey, they halted to rest themselves.

They had hardly alighted before they found themselves surrounded and assaulted by a band of robbers.  They defended their lives for some time courageously; but at length the prince’s servants being all killed, both he and the jeweller were obliged to yield at discretion.  The robbers, however, spared their dives, but after they had seized the horses and baggage, they took away their clothes and left them naked.

When the thieves were gone, the prince said to the jeweller, “What think you of our adventure and condition?  Had I not better have tarried in Bagdad, and awaited my death?” “Prince,” replied the jeweller, “it is the decree of Heaven that we should thus suffer.  It has pleased God to add affliction to affliction. and we must not murmur, but receive his chastisements with submission.  Let us stay no longer here, but seek for some retreat where we may perhaps be relieved.”

“Let me die,” said the prince; “for what signifies it whether I die here or elsewhere.  Perhaps while we are talking, Schemselnihar is no more, and why should I endeavour to live after she is dead!” The jeweller, by his entreaty, at length prevailed on him, and they had not gone far before they came to a mosque, which was open; they entered it, and passed there the remainder of the night.

At day-break a man came into the mosque.  When he had ended his prayer, as he turned about to go away, he perceived the prince and jeweller, who were sitting in a corner.  He came up to them, and after having saluted them with a great deal of civility, said, “I perceive you are strangers.”

The jeweller answered, “You are not deceived.  We have been robbed to-night in coming from Bagdad, as you may see, and have retired hither for shelter, but we know not to whom to apply.”  “If you think fit to accompany me to my house,” answered the man, “I will give you all the assistance in my power.”

Upon this obliging offer, the jeweller turned to the prince, and whispered, “This man, as you perceive, sir, does not know us, and we have reason to fear that somebody else may come who does.  We cannot, I think, refuse his offer.”  “Do as you please,” said the prince; “I am willing to be guided by your discretion.”