Not long after this the sultan bethought himself of the third sharper, who pretended that he was the genealogist of man, and sent for him to the presence.  On his appearance he said, “Thou canst trace the descent of man?” “Yes, my lord,” replied the genealogist.  Upon this the sultan commanded an eunuch to take him into his haram, that he might examine the descent of his favourite mistress.  Upon his introduction, he looked at the lady on this side and on that, through her veil, till he was satisfied, when he came out; and the sultan exclaimed, “Well, what hast thou discovered in my mistress?” He replied, “My lord, she is all perfect in elegance, beauty, grace, stature, bloom, modesty, accomplishments, and knowledge, so that every thing desirable centres in herself; but still there is one point that disgraces her, from which if she was free, it is not possible she could be excelled in anything among the whole of the fair sex.”  When the sultan had heard this, he rose up angrily, and drawing his cimeter, ran towards the genealogist, intending to strike off his head.

Just as he was going to strike, some of the attendants said, “My lord, put not the man to death before thou art convinced of his falsehood.”  Upon which the sultan exclaimed, “What fault appeared to thee in my mistress?” “O sultan,” replied the man, “she is, as to herself, all perfect; but her mother was a rope-dancer.”  Upon this the sultan immediately sent for the father of the lady, and said, “Inform me truly who was the mother of thy daughter, or I will put thee to death.”  “Mighty prince,” replied the father, “there is no safety for man but in the truth.  Her mother was a rope-dancer, whom I took when very young from a company of strolling mummers, and educated.  She grew up most beautiful and accomplished:  I married her, and she produced me the girl whom thou hast chosen.”

When the sultan heard this, his rage cooled, but he was filled with astonishment; and said to the genealogist, “Inform me what could shew thee that my mistress was the daughter of a rope-dancer?” “My lord,” replied the man, “this cast of people have always their eyes very black, and their eyebrows bushy; such are hers:  and from them I guessed her descent.”  The sultan was now convinced of his skill, dismissed him graciously, and commanded that he should be allowed a mess of pottage and three cakes of bread daily, which was done accordingly.

Some time after this the sultan reflected on the three sharpers, and said to himself, “These men have proved their skill in whatever I have tried them.  The lapidary was singularly excellent in his art, the horse genealogist in his, and the last has proved his upon my mistress.  I have an inclination to know my own descent beyond a doubt.”  He then ordered the genealogist into his presence, and said, “Dost thou think thou canst prove my descent?” “Yes, my lord,” replied the man, but on condition that you spare my life after I shall have informed you; for the proverb says, ‘When the sultan is present, beware of his anger, as there is no delay when he commands to strike.’” “There shall be safety for thee,” exclaimed the sultan,” in my promise, an obligation that can never be forfeited.”