A great light, which they suddenly beheld through the lattices on the garden side, caused them to approach them to see from whence it came.  It was occasioned by a hundred flambeaux of white wax, carried by as many young eunuchs:  these were followed by more than a hundred others, who guarded the ladies of the caliph’s palace, clothed, and armed with cimeters, in the same manner as those I spoke of before; and the caliph came after them, betwixt Mesrour their captain on his right, and Vassif their second officer on his left hand.

Schemselnihar waited for the caliph at the entrance of a walk, accompanied by twenty women all of surprising beauty, adorned with necklaces and ear-rings of large diamonds; they played and sung on their instruments, and formed a charming concert.  The favourite no sooner saw the prince appear, but she advanced and prostrated herself at his feet; and while she was doing this, “Prince of Persia,” said she, within herself, “if your sad eyes witness what I do, judge of my hard lot; if I were humbling myself so before you, my heart would feel no reluctance.”

The caliph was delighted to see Schemselnihar:  “Rise, madam,” said he to her, “come near, I am angry with myself that I should have deprived myself so long of the pleasure of seeing you.”  As he spoke, he took her by the hand, and, with many tender expressions, went and sat down upon the silver throne which Schemselnihar caused to be brought for him, and she sat down on a seat before him.  The twenty women made a circle round them upon other seats, while the young eunuchs, who carried flambeaux, dispersed themselves at a certain distance from one another, that the caliph might the better enjoy the cool of the evening.

When the caliph had seated himself, he looked round him, and beheld with great satisfaction the garden illuminated with many other lights, besides those flambeaux which the young eunuchs held; but taking notice that the saloon was shut, expressed his surprise, and demanded the reason.  It was done on purpose to surprise him; for he had no sooner spoken, than all the windows flew open at once, and he saw it illuminated within and without, in a much better manner than ever he had beheld it before.  “Charming Schemselnihar,” cried he, at this sight, “I understand you; you would have me know there are as fine nights as days.  After what I have seen, I cannot deny this.”

Let us return to the prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher, whom we left in the gallery.  Ebn Thaher could not enough admire all that he saw:  “I am not young,” said he, “and I have seen great entertainments in my time; but I do not think any thing can be seen so surprising and magnificent!  All that is said of enchanted palaces does not come up to the prodigious spectacle we now behold.  What riches and magnificence united!”