' He stopped
here, and went out without staying to hear what the sultan would
answer.
Any other monarch would have been very angry at such freedom in a
son, and would have made him repent it, but the sultan loved him,
and preferred gentle methods before he proceeded to compulsion. He
communicated this new cause of discontent to his prime minister. 'I
have followed your advice,' said he, 'but Camaralzaman is further
than ever from complying with my desires. He delivered his
resolution in such free terms that it required all my reason and
moderation to keep my temper. Tell me, I beseech you, how I shall
reclaim a disposition so rebellious to my will?'
'Sir,' answered the grand vizier, 'patience brings many things
about that before seemed impracticable, but it may be this affair
is of a nature not likely to succeed in that way. Your majesty
would have no cause to reproach yourself if you gave the prince
another year to consider the matter. If, in this interval he
returns to his duty, you will have the greater satisfaction, and if
he still continues averse to your proposal when this is expired,
your majesty may propose to him in full council that it is highly
necessary for the good of the state that he should marry, and it is
not likely he will refuse to comply before so grave an assembly,
which you honour with your presence.
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