Consider then, I
beg you, that it is not me, but the sultan my father, who,
indiscreetly, as I think, asks of you a pavilion large enough to
shelter him, his court, and his army, from the violence of the
weather, when he takes the field, and yet small enough for a man to
carry in his hand. Once more remember it is not I, but the sultan
my father who asks this favour.'
'Prince,' replied the fairy, smiling, 'I am sorry that so small a
matter should disturb you, and make you so uneasy. I see plainly
two things have contributed towards it: one is, the law you have
imposed upon yourself, to be content with loving me and being
beloved by me, and to deny yourself the liberty of asking me the
least favour that might try my power. The other, I do not doubt,
whatever you may say, was that you thought what your father asked
of me was out of my power. As to the first, I commend you for it,
and shall love you the better, if possible; and for the second, I
must tell you that what the sultan your father asks of me is a
trifle; and upon occasion, I can do much more difficult things.
Therefore be easy, and persuaded that, far from feeling worried, I
shall always take great pleasure in whatever you can desire me to
do for your sake.
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