The grand vizier was thunderstruck at this question; he recovered himself and said, “My lord, be not surprised at my astonishment at your question.  Is it possible, that a lady or any other person should penetrate by night into this place without entering at the door, and walking over the body of your slave?  I beseech you, recollect yourself, and you will find it is only a dream which has made this impression on you.”

“I give no ear to what you say,” replied the prince, raising his voice.  “I must know from you absolutely what is become of the lady; and if you hesitate, I am in a place where I shall soon be able to force you to obey me.”

At this stern language, the grand vizier began to feel more alarmed than before, and to think how he could extricate himself.  He endeavoured to pacify the prince, and begged of him, in the most humble and guarded manner, to tell him if he had seen this lady.

“Yes, yes,” answered the prince, “I have seen her, and am very well satisfied you sent her here to tempt me.  She played the part in which you had instructed her admirably well.  She pretended to be asleep, and I had no sooner fallen into a slumber, than she arose and left me.  You know all this; for I doubt not she has been to make her report to you.”

“My lord,” replied the vizier, “I swear to you nothing of this kind has been acted; neither your father nor I sent this lady you speak of; permit me therefore once more to suggest to your highness, that you have only seen this lady in a dream.”

“Do you come to affront and contradict me,” said the prince in a rage, “and to tell me to my face, that what I have told you is a dream?” At the same time he took him by the beard, and loaded him with blows, as long as he could stand.

The grand vizier endured with respectful patience all the violence of the prince’s indignation, and could not help saying within himself, “Now am I in as bad a condition as the slave, and shall think myself happy, if I can, like him, escape from any further danger.”  In the midst of repeated blows, he cried out but for a moment’s audience, which the prince, after he had nearly tired himself with beating him, consented to give him.

“I own, my prince,” said the grand vizier dissembling, “there is something in what your highness suspects; but you cannot be ignorant of the necessity a minister is under to obey his royal master’s commands:  yet, if you will but be pleased to set me at liberty, I will go and tell him any thing on your behalf that you shall think fit to require.”  “Go then,” said the prince, “and tell him from me, if he pleases, I will marry the lady he sent me, or, rather, that was brought to me last night.  Do this immediately, and bring me a speedy answer.”  The grand vizier made a profound reverence and went away, not thinking himself altogether safe till he had got out of the tower, and had closed the door on the prince.