When the news of the tragical event had spread through the palace
and the city, all the people bewailed the misfortune of the
princess, the Lady of Beauty, and were much affected by the
sultan's affliction. Every one was in deep mourning for seven days,
and many ceremonies were performed. The ashes of the genie were
thrown into the air, but those of the princess were gathered into a
precious urn to be kept, and the urn was set in a stately tomb
which was built for that purpose on the same place where the ashes
had lain.
The grief which the sultan felt for the loss of his daughter threw
him into a fit of illness, which confined him to his chamber for a
whole month. He had not fully recovered strength when he sent for
me: 'Prince,' said he, 'hearken to the orders that I now give you;
it will cost you your life if you do not put them into execution.'
I assured him of exact obedience, upon which he went on thus: 'I
have constantly lived in perfect felicity, and was never crossed by
any accident: but by your arrival all the happiness I possessed is
vanished; my daughter is dead, her attendant is no more, and it is
through a miracle that I am yet alive. You are the cause of all
those misfortunes, for which it is impossible that I should be
comforted; therefore depart from hence in peace, without farther
delay, for I myself must perish if you stay any longer: I am
persuaded that your presence brings mischief along, with it.
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