The marriage was solemnized the same day, and the rejoicings were universal all over the empire of China.  Nor was Marzavan forgotten:  the king gave him an honourable post in his court, and a promise of further advancement.

The prince and princess enjoyed the fulness of their wishes in the sweets of marriage; and the king kept continual feastings for several months, to manifest his joy on the occasion.

In the midst of these pleasures Kummir al Zummaun dreamt one night that he saw his father on his bed at the point of death, and heard him thus address his attendants:  “My son, to whom I gave birth; my son, whom I so tenderly loved whom I bred with so much fondness, so much care, has abandoned me, and is himself the cause of my death.”  He awoke with a profound sigh, which alarmed the princess, who asked him the cause.

“Alas! my love,” replied the prince, “perhaps at the very moment while I am speaking, the king my father is no more.”  He then acquainted her with his melancholy dream, which occasioned him so much uneasiness.  The princess, who studied to please him in every thing, went to her father the next day, kissed his hand, and thus addressed him:  “I have a favour to beg of your majesty, and I beseech you not to deny me; but that you may not believe I ask it at the solicitation of the prince my husband, I assure you beforehand he knows nothing of my request:  it is, that you will grant me your permission to go with him and visit his father.”

“Daughter,” replied the king, “though I shall be sorry to part with you for so long a time as a journey to a place so distant will require, yet I cannot disapprove of your resolution; it is worthy of yourself:  go, child, I give you leave, but on condition that you stay no longer than a year in Shaw Zummaun’s court.  I hope the king will agree to this, that we shall alternately see, he his son and his daughter-in-law, and I my daughter and my son-in-law.”

The princess communicated the king of China’s consent to her husband, who was transported to receive it, and returned her thanks for this new token of her love.

The king of China gave orders for preparations to be made for their departure; and when all things were ready, he accompanied the prince and princess several days’ journey on their way; they parted at length with much affliction on both sides:  the king embraced them; and having desired the prince to be kind to his daughter, and to love her always with the same tenderness he now did, he left them to proceed, and to divert himself, hunted as he returned to his capital.

When the prince and princess had recovered from their grief, they comforted themselves with considering how glad Shaw Zummaun would be to see them, and how they should rejoice to see the king.