The prince’s answer extremely afflicted his father.  He was not a little grieved to discover his aversion to marriage; yet would not charge him with disobedience, nor exert his paternal authority.  He contented himself with telling him, he would not force his inclinations, but give him time to consider of the proposal; and reflect, that a prince destined to govern a great kingdom ought to take some care to leave a successor; and that in giving himself that satisfaction he communicated it to his father, who would be glad to see himself revive in his son and his issue.

Shaw Zummaun said no more to the prince but admitted him into his council, and gave him every reason to be satisfied.  At the end of the year he took him aside, and said to him; “My son, have you thoroughly considered what I proposed to you last year about marrying?  Will you still refuse me that pleasure I expect from your obedience, and suffer me to die without affording me that satisfaction?”

The prince seemed less disconcerted than before; and was not long answering his father to this effect:  “Sir, I have not neglected to consider of your proposal; but after the maturest reflection find myself more confirmed in my resolution to continue in a state of celibacy.  The infinite mischief which women have caused in the world, and which are on record in our histories, and the accounts I daily hear to their disadvantage, are the motives which powerfully influence me against having any thing to do with them; so that I hope your majesty will pardon me if I presume to tell you, it will be in vain to solicit me any further upon this subject.”  As soon as he had thus spoken, he quitted the sultan abruptly without waiting his answer.

Any monarch but Shaw Zummaun would have been angry at such freedom in a son, and would have made him repent; but he loved him, and preferred gentle methods before he proceeded to compulsion.  He communicated this new cause of discontent to his prime minister.  “I have followed your advice,” said he, “but Kummir al Zummaun is farther than ever from complying with my desires.  He delivered his determination in such free terms, that it required all my reason and moderation to keep my temper.  Fathers who so earnestly desire children as I did this son are fools, who seek to deprive themselves of that rest which it is in their own power to enjoy without control.  Tell me, I beseech you, how I shall reclaim a disposition so rebellious to my will?”

“Sir,” answered the grand vizier, “patience brings many things about that before seemed impracticable; but it may be this affair is of a nature not likely to succeed that way.  Your majesty will have no cause to reproach yourself for precipitation, if you would give the prince another year to consider your proposal.  If in this interval he return to his duty, you will have the greater satisfaction, as you will have employed only paternal love to induce him; and if he still continue averse when this is expired, your majesty may in full council observe, that it is highly necessary for the good of the state that he should marry; and it is not likely he will refuse to comply before so grave an assembly, which you honour with your presence.”