The sultan now ordered the young prince to be introduced to his presence, to which he advanced, making the obeisances customary to royal personages in a graceful manner.  “Art thou the destroyer of the monster?” exclaimed the sultan.  “I am,” answered the prince.  “Tell me how I can reward thee?” replied the sultan.  “My request to God and your majesty,” answered the prince, “is, that the princess thy daughter may be given me in marriage.”  “Rather ask me a portion of my treasures,” rejoined the sultan.  Upon this, the officers of the court observed, that as he had saved the princess from death, he was worthy of her; and the sultan at length consenting, the marriage knot was tied.  The young prince received his bride, and the nuptials were consummated.  Towards the close of night he arose, and having taken off her ring, put his own in its room on her finger, and wrote upon the palm of her hand, “I am called Alla ad Deen, the son of a potent sultan, who rules in Yemen; if thou canst come to me there, well; otherwise remain with thy father.”

When the prince had done as above related, he left his bride asleep, and quitting the palace and city, pursued his travels; during which he married another wife, whom he had saved from an elephant in a similar way:  he left her in the same manner as the first.

When the prince had left his second wife, he proceeded in search of the bird to whom the string of emeralds and pearls had belonged, and at length reached the city of its mistress, who was daughter to the sultan, a very powerful monarch.  Having entered the capital, he walked through several streets, till at last he perceived a venerable old man, whose age seemed to be, at least, that of a hundred years, sitting alone.  He approached him, and having paid his respects, sat down, and entering into conversation, at length said, “Canst thou, my uncle, afford me any information respecting a bird, whose chain is composed of pearls and emeralds, or of its mistress?”

The old man remained silent, involved in thought, for some instants; after which, he said, “My son, many sultans and princes have wished to attain this bird and the princess, but failed in the attempt; however, do thou procure seven lambs, kill them, flay and cut them up into halves.  In the palace are eight courts, at the gates of seven of which are placed two hungry lions; and in the latter, where the princess resides, are stationed forty slaves.  Go, and try thy fortune.”

The prince having thanked the old man, took his leave, procured the lambs, cut them up as directed, and towards midnight, when the step of man had ceased from passing, repaired to the first gate of the palace, before which he beheld two monstrous lions, their eyes flaming like the mouth of a lighted oven.  He cast before each half a lamb, and while they were devouring it passed on.  By the same stratagem he arrived safely into the eighth court:  at the gate of which lay the forty slaves sunk in profound sleep.  He entered