Though the sultan of the Indies was persuaded that prince Ahmed’s natural disposition was good, yet he could not help being moved at the representations of the old sorceress, and said, “I thank you for the pains you have taken, and your wholesome caution.  I am so sensible of its great importance that I shall take advice upon it.”

He was consulting with his favourites, when he was told of the sorceress’s arrival.  He ordered her to follow him to them.  He acquainted them with what he had learnt, communicated to them the reason he had to fear the fairy’s influence over the prince, and asked them what measures they thought most proper to be taken to prevent so great a misfortune as might possibly happen.  One of the favourites, taking upon himself to speak for the rest, said, “Your majesty knows who must be the author of this mischief.  In order to prevent it, now he is in your court, and in your power, you ought not to hesitate to put him under arrest; I will not say take away his life, for that would make too much noise; but make him a close prisoner.”  This advice all the other favourites unanimously applauded.

The sorceress, who thought it too violent, asked the sultan leave to speak, which being granted, she said, “I am persuaded it is the zeal of your counsellors for your majesty’s interest that makes them propose arresting prince Ahmed.  But they will not take it amiss if I offer to your and their consideration, that if you arrest the prince you must also detain his retinue.  But they are all genies.  Do they think it will be so easy to surprise, seize, and secure their persons? will they not disappear, by the property they possess of rendering themselves invisible, and transport themselves instantly to the fairy, and give her an account of the insult offered her husband?  And can it be supposed she will let it go unrevenged?  Would it not be better, if by any other means which might not make so great a noise, the sultan could secure himself against any ill designs prince Ahmed may have, and not involve his majesty’s honour?  If his majesty has any confidence in my advice, as genies and fairies can do things impracticable to men, he will rather trust prince Ahmed’s honour, and engage him by means of the fairy to procure certain advantages, by flattering his ambition, and at the same time narrowly watching him.  For example; every time your majesty takes the field, you are obliged to be at a great expense, not only in pavilions and tents for yourself and army, but likewise in mules and camels, and other beasts of burden, to carry their baggage.  Request the prince to procure you a tent, which can be carried in a man’s hand, but so large as to shelter your whole army.

“I need say no more to your majesty.  If the prince brings such a tent, you may make other demands of the same nature, so that at last he may sink under the difficulties and the impossibility of executing them, however fertile in means and inventions the fairy, who has enticed him from you by her enchantments, may be; so that in time he will be ashamed to appear, and will be forced to pass the rest of his life with the fairy, excluded from any commerce with this world; when your majesty will have nothing to fear from him, and cannot be reproached with so detestable an action as the shedding of a son’s blood, or confining him for life in a prison.”