'
The king was very much enraged at the astrologer, and had his head
cut off upon the spot. Not to make too long a story of it, a
hundred and fifty astrologers, physicians, and magicians all
underwent the same fate, and their heads were set up on poles on
every gate of the city.
The Princess of China's nurse had a son whose name was Marzavan,
and who had been foster-brother to the princess, and brought up
with her. Their friendship was so great during their childhood, and
all the time they had been together, that they treated each other
as brother and sister as they grew up, even some time after their
separation.
This Marzavan, among other studies, had from his youth been much
addicted to judicial astrology, geomancy, and the like secret arts,
wherein he became exceedingly skilful. Not content with what he had
learned from masters, he travelled as soon as he was able to bear
the fatigue, and there was hardly any person of note in any science
or art but he sought him in the most remote cities, and kept
company with him long enough to obtain all the information he
desired, so great was his thirst after knowledge.
After several years' absence in foreign parts on this account, he
returned to the capital city of his native country, China, where
seeing so many heads on the gate by which he entered, he was
exceedingly surprised; and coming home he demanded for what reason
they had been placed there, but more especially he inquired after
the princess his foster-sister, whom he had not forgotten.
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