The sultan had scarcely ceased speaking, when a human figure of a dusky hue appeared before him, and said, “My sovereign, here is a confection left me by my ancestors, with an assurance, that whoever might eat of it would have offspring.”  The sultan eagerly took the confection, and by the blessing of Allah, one of the ladies of his haram conceived that very night.  When her pregnancy was made known to him, the sultan was overjoyed, distributed large sums in charity to the poor, and every day comforted the distressed by his bounty.

When the sultana had gone her full time, she was delivered of a son beautiful in aspect, and of graceful person; at which the sultan became overjoyed, and on that day set apart one half of his treasures for the use of the infant prince, who was intrusted to the charge of experienced nurses.  After he had thrived sufficiently at the breast he was weaned, and at six years of age put under the care of learned tutors, who taught him to write, to read the Koran, and instructed him in the other several branches of literature.  When he had completed his twelfth year, he was accomplished in horsemanship, archery, and throwing the lance, till at length he became a distinguished cavalier, and excelled the most celebrated equestrians.

The young prince being on a certain day hunting in the vicinity of the capital, there suddenly appeared soaring and wheeling in the air a bird, whose plumage was of the most beautiful and glossy green.  The prince let fly an arrow, but without effect, and the bird suddenly disappeared.  It was in vain that he turned his eye to all quarters, in hopes of again discovering his wished-for prey, for the bird had flown out of sight, and the prince after searching in all directions till the close of day, returned vexed and much disappointed to his father’s palace.  On his entrance, the sultan and sultana perceiving his countenance gloomy, inquired the cause of his melancholy, when he informed them of the bird:  upon which, they said, “Dear son, the creaures of the Almighty are innumerably diversified; and, doubtless, there are many birds as beautiful, and wonderfully more so than this, whose escape you so much regret.”  “It may be so,” replied the prince; “but unless I shall be able to take this, which has so captivated my fancy, I will abstain from food.”

On the following morning the prince repaired again to the chase, and having reached the same spot on the plain, to his great joy beheld the green bird.  Having taken a cautious aim, he let fly an arrow; but she evaded it, and soared before him in the air.  The prince spurred his courser and followed, keeping his desired prey in sight unceasingly till sunset; when both himself and his horse being exhausted he gave up the pursuit, and returned towards the city.  As he was riding slowly, and almost fainting with hunger and fatigue, there met him a venerable looking personage, who said, “Prince, both thyself and thy charger