without these balls the princes had not thought of speaking to their sister of this affair.  For as prince Bahman unloosed his girdle to go to bed the balls dropped on the floor, upon which he ran into prince Perviz’s chamber, when both went into the princess Perie-zadeh’s apartment, and after they had asked her pardon for coming at so unseasonable a time, they told her all the circumstances of their meeting the emperor.

The princess was somewhat surprised at this intelligence.  “Your meeting with the emperor,” said she, “is happy and honourable, and may in the end be highly advantageous to you, but it is very disagreeable and distrustful to me.  It was on my account, I know, you refused the emperor, and I am infinitely obliged to you for doing so.  I know by this your affection is equal to my own, since you would rather be guilty of incivility towards the emperor than violate the brotherly union we have sworn to each other.  You judge right, for if you had once gone you would insensibly have been engaged to leave me, to devote yourselves to him.  But do you think it an easy matter absolutely to refuse the emperor what he seems so earnestly to desire?  Monarchs will be obeyed in their desires, and it may be dangerous to oppose them; therefore, if to follow my inclination I should dissuade you from shewing the complaisance he expects from you, it may expose you to his resentment, and may render myself and you miserable.  These are my sentiments:  but before we conclude upon any thing let us consult the speaking bird, and hear what he says; he is penetrating, and has promised his assistance in all difficulties.”

The princess sent for the cage, and after she had related the circumstances to the bird in the presence of her brothers, asked him what they should do in this perplexity?  The bird answered, “The princes your brothers must conform to the emperor’s pleasure, and in their turn invite him to come and see your house.”

“But, bird,” replied the princess, “my brothers and I love one another, and our friendship is yet undisturbed.  Will not this step be injurious to that friendship?” “Not at all,” replied the bird; “it will tend rather to cement it.”  “Then,” answered the princess, “the emperor will see me.”  The bird told her it was necessary he should, and that everything would go better afterwards.

Next morning the princes met the emperor hunting, who, at as great a distance as he could make himself be heard, asked them if they had remembered to speak to their sister?  Prince Bahman approached, and answered, “Sir, your majesty may dispose of us as you please; we are ready to obey you; for we have not only obtained our sister’s consent with great ease, but she took it amiss that we should pay her that deference in a matter wherein our duty to your majesty was concerned.  But if we have offended, we hope you will pardon us.”  “Do not be uneasy on that account,” replied the emperor; “so far from taking amiss what you have done, I highly approve of your conduct, and hope you will have the same deference and attachment to my person, if I have ever so little share in your friendship.”  The princes, confounded at the emperor’s goodness, returned no other answer but a low obeisance, to shew the great respect with which they received it.