The man observing the prince and jeweller consulting together, and thinking they made some difficulty to accept his offer, asked them if they were resolved what to do?  The jeweller answered “We are ready to follow you; all we hesitate about is that we are ashamed to appear thus naked.”

Fortunately the man had it in his power to cover them sufficiently till they could get to his house.  As soon as they had entered, he brought a very handsome suit for each of them.  As he thought they must be hungry, and might wish to be alone, he had several dishes brought to them by a slave; but they ate little, especially the prince who was so dejected and dispirited, that he gave the jeweller cause to fear he would die.  Their host visited them several times in the course of the day, and in the evening, as he knew they wanted rest, he left them early.  But he was no sooner in bed, than the jeweller was forced to call him again to assist at the death of the prince of Persia.  He found him breathe short, and with difficulty, which gave him reason to fear he had but few minutes to live.  Coming near him, the prince said, “It is all over, and I am glad you are witness of my last words.  I quit life with a great deal of satisfaction; I need not tell you the reason, for you know it already.  All my concern is, that I cannot die in the arms of my dear mother, who has always loved me tenderly, and for whom I had a reciprocal affection.  Let her know how much I was concerned at this, and request her in my name to have my body removed to Bagdad, that she may have an opportunity to bedew my tomb with her tears, and assist my departed soul with her prayers.”  He then took notice of the master of the house, and thanked him for his kindness in taking him in; and after desiring him to let his body rest with him till it should be conveyed to Bagdad, he expired.

The day after the prince’s death, the jeweller took the opportunity of a numerous caravan that was going to Bagdad, and arrived there in safety.  He first went home to change his clothes, and then hastened to the prince’s palace, where every body was alarmed at not seeing the prince with him.  He desired them to acquaint the prince’s mother that he wished to speak with her, and it was not long before he was introduced to her in a hall, with several of her women about her.  “Madam,” said he to her, with an air that sufficiently denoted the ill news he brought, “God preserve you, and shower down upon you the choicest of his blessings.  You cannot be ignorant that he alone disposes of us at his pleasure.”

The princess would not permit him to proceed, but exclaimed, “Alas! you bring me the news of my son’s death?” She and her women at the same time wept and sobbed loudly.  At length she checked her sighs and groans, and begged of him to continue without concealing from her the least circumstance of such a melancholy separation.  He satisfied her, and when he had done, she farther demanded of