Upon this the
sultan said again to his daughter, 'How do you know that this
prince has been transformed by enchantments into an ape?'
'Sir,' replied the Lady of Beauty, 'your majesty may remember that
when I was past my infancy, I had an old lady to wait upon me; she
was a most expert magician, and taught me seventy rules of magic,
by virtue of which I can transport your capital city into the midst
of the sea in the twinkling of an eye, or beyond Mount Caucasus. By
this science I know all enchanted persons at first sight. I know
who they are, and by whom they have been enchanted. Therefore do
not be surprised if I should forthwith relieve this prince, in
spite of the enchantments, from that which hinders him from
appearing in your sight what he naturally is.'
'Daughter,' said the sultan, 'I did not believe you to have
understood so much.'
'Sir,' replied the princess, 'these things are curious and worth
knowing, but I think I ought not to boast of them.'
'Since it is so,' said the sultan, 'you can dispel the prince's
enchantment.'
'Yes, sir,' said the princess, 'I can restore him to his first
shape again.'
'Do it then,' said the sultan; 'you cannot do me a greater
pleasure, for I will have him to be my vizier, and he shall marry
you.
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