'
'Brave Marzavan,' replied the prince,' I cannot but approve such an
ingenious stratagem, or sufficiently admire your conduct: I am
under fresh obligations to you for it.'
The prince and Marzavan, well provided with cash for their
expenses, continued their journey both by land and sea, and found
no other obstacle but the length of time which it necessarily took
up. They, however, arrived at length at the capital of China, where
Marzavan, instead of going to his lodgings, carried the prince to a
public inn. They tarried there incognito for three days to rest
themselves after the fatigue of the voyage; during which time
Marzavan caused an astrologer's dress to be made for the prince.
The three days being expired, the prince put on his astrologer's
habit; and Marzavan left him to go and acquaint his mother, the
Princess Badoura's nurse, of his arrival, to the end that she might
inform the Princess.
Prince Camaralzaman, instructed by Marzavan as to what he was to
do, and provided with all he wanted as an astrologer, came next
morning to the gate of the king's palace, before the guards and
porters, and cried aloud, 'I am an astrologer, and am come to
effect a cure on the estimable Princess Badoura, daughter of the
most high and mighty monarch Gaiour, King of China, on the
conditions proposed by his majesty, to marry her if I succeed, or
else to lose my life for my fruitless and presumptuous attempt.
Pages:
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221