seem exhausted; what can have been the cause of such over exercise?” “Father,” answered the prince, “I have been pursuing, but in vain, a beautiful green bird, on which I had set my mind.”  “Son,” replied the sage, “if thou wert to follow it for a whole year’s journey, thy pursuit would be useless; for thou couldst never take it.  This bird comes from a city in the country of Kafoor, in which are most delightful gardens abounding in such birds as this, and many other species still more beautiful, some of which sing enchantingly, and others talk like human beings; but, alas thou canst never reach that happy spot.  Give up then all thoughts of the bird, and seek some other objeft for a favourite that thou mayst enjoy repose, and no longer vex thyself for impossibilities.”  When the prince heard this from the old man, he exclaimed, “By Allah! nothing shall prevent me from visiting the charming country thou hast mentioned;” and leaving the sage, he rode homewards, his mind wholly taken up in meditating on the land of Kafoor.

When the prince had reached the palace, the sultan perceiving his disordered state, inquired the adventures of the day; and being informed of his fruitless pursuit, and the remarks of the old man, said, “My son, discharge this idle chimera from thy mind, nor perplex thyself longer, since he who wishes for an impossibility may pine himself to death, but can never gain his desires:  calm then thy soul, nor vex thyself longer in vain.”  “By Allah!” answered the prince, “my soul, O my father, is captivated with the desire of possessing this bird more strongly than ever, from the words of the venerable old man; nor is it possible I can enjoy repose till I have travelled to the island of Kafoor, and beheld the gardens containing such a wonderful feathered species.”  “Alas! my dear son,” exclaimed the sultan, “think how afflicting must be to myself and thy mother thy absence from our sight, and for our sakes give up such a fruitless expedition.”

The prince, notwithstanding the remonstrances of his father, continued obstinate, and said, “My travelling is inevitable:  grant me then permission, or I will put myself to death.”  “If so,” exclaimed the affrighted sultan, “there is no refuge or help but from the omnipotent Allah:  well has the proverb remarked, that the nestling would not be restrained from the air, when suddenly the raven pounced upon it and bore it away.  Heaven guard my son from the consequences of his imprudence.”  Having said thus, the sultan commanded preparations for the requisites of travel, and ordered a force to accompany the headstrong prince; who, having taken leave of his afflicted parents, began his expedition towards the country of Kafoor.