In the mean time, the prince of Persia, unwilling to lose such an opportunity of strewing his good breeding and gallantry, adjusted the cushion of cloth of gold, for the lady to lean on; after which he hastily retired, that she might sit down; and having saluted her, by kissing the carpet under her feet, rose and stood before her at the lower end of the sofa.  It being her custom to be free with Ebn Thaher, she lifted up her veil, and discovered to the prince of Persia such an extraordinary beauty as struck him to the heart.  On the other hand, the lady could not refrain from looking upon the prince, the sight of whom had made the same impressions upon her.  “My lord,” said she to him, with an obliging air, “pray sit down.”  The prince of Persia obeyed, and sat on the edge of the sofa.  He had his eyes constantly fixed upon her, and swallowed large draughts of the sweet poison of love.  She quickly perceived what passed in his heart, and this discovery served to inflame her the more towards him.  She arose, went to Ebn Thaher, and after she had whispered to him the cause of her coming, asked the name and country of the prince.  “Madam,” answered Ebn Thaher, “this young nobleman’s name is Aboulhassen Ali Ebn Becar, and he is a prince of the blood royal of Persia.”

The lady was transported at hearing that the person she already loved so passionately was of so high a rank.  “Do you really mean,” said she, “that he is descended from the kings of Persia?” “Yes, madam,” replied Ebn Thaher, “the last kings of Persia were his ancestors, and since the conquest of that kingdom, the princes of his family have always made themselves very acceptable at the court of our caliphs.”  “You will oblige me much,” added she, “by making me acquainted with this young nobleman:  when I send this woman,” pointing to one of her slaves, “to give you notice to come and see me, pray bring him with you; I shall be glad to afford him the opportunity of seeing the magnificence of my house, that he may have it in his power to say, that avarice does not reign at Bagdad among persons of quality.  You know what I mean.”

Ebn Thaher was a man of too much penetration not to perceive the lady’s mind by these words:  “My princess, my queen,” replied he, “God preserve me from giving you any occasion of anger:  I shall always make it a law to obey your commands.”  At this answer, the lady bowed to Ebn Thaher, and took her leave; and after she had given a favorable look to the prince of Persia, she remounted her mule, and departed.

The prince of Persia was so deeply in love with the lady, that he looked after her as far as he could; and long after she was out of sight directed his eyes that way.  Ebn Thaher told him, that he remarked several persons observing him, and began to laugh to see him in this posture.  “Alas!” said the prince, “the world and you would pity me, if you knew that the beautiful lady, who is just gone from you, has carried with her the best part of