He took his leave of the sultan Khosrouschah, and afterwards returned to the country retreat he had built, with the two princes, Bahman and Perviz, and the princess Parizade. His wife had been dead some years, and he himself had not lived above six months with them, before he was surprised by so sudden a death, that he had not time to give them the least account of their birth, which he had resolved to do, as necessary to oblige them to continue to live, as they had then done, agreeably to their rank and condition, and the education he had given them, and to their own inclination.
The princes Bahman and Perviz, and the princess Parizade, who knew no other tether than the intendant of the sultan’s gardens, regretted and bewailed him as such, and paid him all the honours in his funeral obsequies which their love and filial gratitude required of them. Content with the plentiful fortune he left them, they lived together in the same perfect union, free from the ambition of distinguishing themselves at court, with a view to places of honour and dignity, which they might easily have obtained.
One day, when the two princes were hunting, and the princess Parizade stayed at home, a religious old woman came to the gate, and desired leave to go in to say her prayers, it being then the hour. The servants went and asked the princess’s leave, who ordered them to show her into the oratory, which the intendant of the sultan’s gardens had taken care to fit up in his house, for want of a mosque in the neighbourhood. She bade them also, after the good woman had finished her prayers, show her the house and gardens, and then bring her to her.
The religious old woman went into the oratory, said her prayers, and when she came out again, two of the princess’s women, who waited on her, invited her to see the house and gardens; which civility she accepted of, and followed them from one apartment to another, and observed, as a person who understood what belonged to furniture, the nice arrangement of every thing. They conducted her also into the garden, the disposition of which she found so new and well planned, that she admired it, observing that the person who drew it, must have been an excellent master of his art. Afterwards she was brought before the princess, who waited for her in the great hall, which, in propriety, beauty, and richness, exceeded all she had admired before in the apartments.
As soon as the princess saw the devout woman, she said to her, My good mother, come near and sit down by me. I am overjoyed at the happiness of having the opportunity of profiting for some moments by the good example and discourse of such a person as you, who has taken the right way, by dedicating yourself to the service of God. I wish every body were as wise.
The religious woman, instead of sitting upon a sofa, would only sit upon the edge of it. The princess would not permit her to do so, but rising from her seat, and taking her by the hand, obliged her to come and sit by her. The good woman, sensible of the civility, said, Madam, I ought not to have so much respect shown me; but since you command me, and are mistress of your own house, I obey you. When she had sat down, before they entered into any conversation, one of the princess’s women brought a little low table of mother of pearl and ebony, with a china dish full of cakes upon it, and a great many others set round it full of fruits in season, and wet and dry sweetmeats.
The princess took up one of the cakes, and presenting her with it, said, Eat, good mother, and make choice of what you like best; you had need to eat after coming so far. Madam, replied the good woman, I am not used to eat such nice things; but will not refuse what God has sent me by so liberal a hand as yours.
While the religious woman was eating, the princess ate something too, to bear her company, and asked her a great many questions upon the exercise of devotion which she practised, and how she lived; all which questions she asked with great modesty. Talking of several things, at last she asked her what she thought of the house, and how she liked it.
Madam, answered the devout woman, I must certainly have very bad taste to disapprove any thing in it, since it is beautiful, regular, and magnificently furnished with exactness and judgment, and all its ornaments adjusted in the best manner. Its situation is an agreeable spot, and no garden can be more delightful; but yet if you will give me leave to speak my mind freely, I will take the liberty to tell you, that this house would be incomparable, if it had three things which are wanting to it. My good mother, replied the princess Parizade, what are those three things? I conjure you, in God’s name, to tell me what they are: I will spare nothing to get them if it be possible.
Madam, replied the devout woman, the first of these three things, is the speaking bird, which is called Bulbulkezer, and is so singular a creature that it can draw round it all the singing birds of the neighbourhood, which come to accompany his song. The second is, the singing tree, the leaves of which are so many mouths which form a harmonious concert of different voices, and never cease. The third is the yellow water of gold colour, a single drop of which being poured in a vessel properly prepared in whatever part of the garden, it increases so that it fills it immediately, and rises up in the middle like a fountain, which continually plays in it, and yet the basin never overflows.
Ah! my good mother, cried the princess, how much I am obliged to you for the knowledge of these things! They are surprising, and I never before heard there were such curious and wonderful things in the world; but as I am well persuaded that you know where they are, I expect that you should do me the favour to tell me.
Madam, replied the good woman, I should be unworthy the hospitality you have with so much goodness shown me, if I should refuse to satisfy your curiosity in that point; and am glad to have the honour to tell you that these three things are to be met with in the same spot on the confines of this kingdom towards India. The road to it lies before your house, and whoever you send needs but to follow it for twenty days, and on the twentieth let him but ask the first person he meets, where the speaking bird, singing tree, and yellow water are, and he will be informed. After these words, she rose from her seat, took her leave, and went her way.
The princess Parizade’s thoughts were so taken up with what the religious woman had told her of the speaking bird, singing tree, and yellow water, that she never perceived she was gone, till she wanted to ask her some question for her better information; for she thought that what she had told her was not a sufficient reason for exposing herself by undertaking a long journey possibly to no purpose. However, she would not send after her to fetch her back, but endeavoured to remember all she had told her; and when she thought she had recollected every word, she took real pleasure in thinking of the satisfaction she should have, if she could get these wonderful things into her possession; but the difficulties she apprehended, and the fear of not succeeding, made her very uneasy.
She was lost in these thoughts, when her brothers returned from hunting; who, when they entered the great hall, instead of finding her lively and gay, as she used to be, were amazed to see her so pensive, and hang down her head as if something troubled her.
Sister, said prince Bahman, what is become of all your mirth and gayety? Are you not well? or has some misfortune befallen you? Has any body given you reason to be so melancholy? Tell us, that we may know how to act, and give you some relief. If any body has affronted you, we will resent it.
The princess Parizade remained in the same posture some time without answering; but at last lifted up her eyes to look at her brothers, and then held them down again, telling them nothing disturbed her.
Sister, said prince Bahman, you conceal the truth from us; there must be something of consequence. It is impossible, for the short time we have been absent, we could observe so sudden a change, if nothing was the matter with you. You would not have us satisfied with the unsatisfactory answer you have given us: do not conceal any thing from us, unless you would have us believe that you renounce the friendship and strict union which have hitherto subsisted between us from our infancy.
The princess, who had not the smallest intention to break with her brothers, would not suffer them to entertain such a thought, but said, When I told you nothing disturbed me, I meant, nothing that was of any great importance to you; but to me it is of some consequence; and since you press me to tell you by our strict union and friendship, which are so dear to me, I will. You think, and I always believed so too, that this house, which our late father built for us, was complete in every thing, and that nothing was wanting. But this day I have learned that it wants three things, which would render it so perfect, that no country-seat in the world could be compared with it. These three things are, the speaking bird, the singing tree, and the yellow water. After she had informed them wherein consisted the excellency of these three rarities, A religious woman, added she, has made this discovery to me, and told me the place where they are to be found, and the way thither. Perhaps you may imagine these things to be trifles, and of little consequence to render our house complete, and that, without these additions, it will always be thought fine enough with what it already contains, and that we can do without them. You may think as you please; but I cannot help telling you that I am persuaded they are absolutely necessary, and I shall not be easy without them. Therefore, whether you value them or not, I desire you to give me your opinion, and consider what person you may think proper for me to send on this conquest.
Sister, replied prince Bahman, nothing can concern you in which we have not an equal interest. It is enough you have an earnest desire for the things you mention, to oblige us to take the same interest; but if you had not, we feel ourselves inclined of our own accord, and for our own particular satisfaction. I am persuaded my brother is of the same opinion, and therefore we ought to undertake this conquest, as you call it; for the importance and singularity of it deserves that name. I will take that charge upon myself; only tell me the place, and the way to it, and I will defer my journey no longer than till to-morrow.
Brother, said prince Perviz, it is not convenient that you, who are the head and support of the family, should be absent so long. I desire my sister would join with me to oblige you to abandon your design, and allow me to undertake it. I hope to acquit myself as well as you, and it will be a more regular proceeding. —I am persuaded of your good-will, brother, replied prince Bahman, and that you will acquit yourself as well as me in this journey; but I have resolved on it, and will do it. You shall stay at home with our sister, and I need not recommend her to you. He spent the remainder of that day in making preparations for his journey, and informing himself from the princess of the directions the devout woman left her, that he might not miss his way.
The next morning early, prince Bahman mounted his horse, and prince Perviz and the princess Parizade, who would see him set out, embraced, and wished him a good journey. But in the midst of their adieus, the princess recollected one thing, which she had not thought on before. Brother, said she, I had quite forgotten the accidents which attend travellers. Who knows whether I shall ever see you again? Alight, I beseech you, and give up this journey. I would rather be deprived of the sight and possession of the speaking bird, singing-tree, and yellow water, than run the risk of never seeing you more.
Sister, replied prince Bahman, smiling at the sudden fears of the princess Parizade, my resolution is fixed, and was it not, I should determine upon it now, and you must allow me to execute it. The accidents you speak of befall only those who are unfortunate. It is true, I may be of that number; but there are more who are not so than who are, and I may be of the former number. But as events are uncertain, and I may fall in this undertaking, all I can do is to leave you this knife.
Then prince Bahman pulled a knife out of his pocket, and presenting it in the sheath to the princess, said, Take this knife, sister, and give yourself the trouble sometimes to pull it out of the sheath: while you see it clean as it is now, it shall be a sign that I am alive; but if you find it stained with blood, then you may believe me dead, and indulge me with your prayers.
The princess Parizade could obtain nothing more of prince Bahman. He bade adieu to her and prince Perviz for the last time, and rode away well mounted, armed, and equipped. When he got into the road, he never turned to the right hand nor to the left, but went directly forwards toward India. The twentieth day he perceived on the road side a hideous old man, who sat under a tree some small distance from a thatched house, which was his retreat from the weather.
His eyebrows were as white as snow, and so was the hair of his head; his whiskers covered his mouth, and his beard and hair reached down to his feet. The nails of his hands and feet were grown to an extensive length; his flat broad hat, like an umbrella, covered his head. He had no clothes, but only a mat thrown round his body.
This old man was a dervise, who had for many years retired from the world, and had neglected himself to give himself up entirely to the service of God; so that at last he was become what we have described.
Prince Bahman, who had been all that morning very attentive to see if he could meet with any body that could give him information of the place he was going to, stopped when he came near the dervise, as the first person he had met and alighted from off his horse, in conformity to the directions the religious woman had given the princess Parizade; and leading his horse by the bridle, advanced towards him, and saluting him, said, God prolong your days, good father, and grant you the accomplishment of your desires.
The dervise returned the prince’s salutation, but so unintelligibly, that he could not understand one word he said: prince Bahman perceiving that this difficulty proceeded from the dervise’s whiskers hanging over his mouth, and unwilling to go any farther without the instructions he wanted, he pulled out a pair of scissors he had about him, and having tied his horse to a branch of the tree, said to the dervise, Good dervise, I want to have some talk with you; but your whiskers prevent my understanding what you say; and if you will consent, I will cut off some part of them and of your eyebrows, which disfigures you so much, that you look more like a bear than a man.
The dervise did not oppose the prince, but let him do it; and when the prince had cut off as much hair as he thought fit, he perceived that the dervise had a good complexion, and that he did not seem so old as he really was. Good dervise, said he, if I had a glass, I would show you how young you look: you are now a man, but before, nobody could tell what you were.
The kind behaviour of prince Bahman made the dervise smile, and return his compliment. Sir, said be, whoever you are, I am infinitely obliged to you for the good office you have done me, and am ready to show my gratitude, by doing any thing in my power for you. You must have alighted here upon some account or other. Tell me what it is, and I will endeavour to serve you if I can.
Good dervise, replied prince Bahman, I have come a great way, and am in search after the speaking bird, the singing tree, and the yellow water; I know these three things are not far from hence, but cannot tell exactly the place where they are to be found: if you know, I conjure you to show me the way, that I may not mistake it, and lose my labour after so long a journey.
The prince, while he spoke, observed that the dervise changed countenance, held down his eyes, and looked very serious, and, instead of making any reply, remained silent; which obliged him to say to him again, Good father, I fancy you heard me; tell me whether you know what I ask you, that I may not lose my time, and inform myself somewhere else.
At last the dervise broke silence. Sir, said he to prince Bahman, I know the way you ask of me; but the friendship which I conceived for you the first moment I saw you, and which is grown stronger by the service you have done me, kept me in suspense, whether I should give you the satisfaction you desire. What motive can hinder you? replied the prince; and what difficulties do you find in so doing? I will tell you, replied the dervise; the danger you are going to expose yourself to is greater than you can believe. A great number of gentlemen, of as much bravery and courage as you can have, passed by here, and asked me the same question you do now. When I had used all my endeavours to persuade them to desist, they would not believe me; at last, I have yielded to their importunities; I was compelled to show them the way, and I can assure you they have all perished, and I have not seen one come back again. Therefore, if you have any regard for your life, take my advice, go no farther, return home.
Prince Bahman persisted in his resolution. I will not believe, said he to the dervise, but that your advice is sincere. I am obliged to you for the friendship you express for me; but whatever may be the danger you tell me of, nothing shall make me change my intention: whoever attacks me, I am well armed, and can say I am as brave as any one. But they who shall attack you are not to be seen, replied the dervise, for there are a great many of them; how will you defend yourself against invisible persons? It is no matter, answered the prince; all you say shall not persuade me to do any thing contrary to my duty. Since you know the way, I conjure you once more to tell me, and not refuse me that favour.
When the dervise found he could not prevail upon prince Bahman, and that he was obstinately bent to pursue his journey, notwithstanding the wholesome advice he gave him, he put his hand into a bag that lay by him, and pulled out a bowl, which he presented to him. Since I cannot prevail on you to hear me and take my advice, said he, take this bowl, and when you are on horseback throw it before you, and follow it to the foot of a mountain, where it will stop. As soon as the bowl stops, alight, and leave your horse with the bridle over his neck, and he will stand in the same place till you return. As you go up the hill, you will see on your right and left hand a great quantity of large black stones, and will hear on all sides of you a confusion of voices, which will say a thousand injurious things to you to discourage you, and prevent your climbing up to the top of the hill: but take care, and be not afraid; and, above all things, do not turn your head to look behind you; for in that instant you will be changed into such a black stone as those you see, which are all so many gentlemen, who have failed in this enterprise, as I told you. If you escape the danger which I give you but a slight description of, that you might reflect on it, and get to the top of the mountain, you will see a cage, and in that cage is the bird you seek: ask him where are the singing tree and the yellow water, and he will tell you. I have nothing more to say; this is what you have to do, and the danger you have to avoid; but if you would believe me, you would take my advice, and not expose your life. Consider once more while you have time, that the difficulty is almost insuperable, and attached to a condition which may be counteracted even by inadvertence, as you may easily comprehend.
I am very much obliged to you for your repeated advice, replied prince Bahman, after he had received the bowl, but I cannot follow it. However, I will endeavour to conform myself to that part of it which bids me not to look behind me as I go up, and I hope to come and see you again soon, and thank you more when I have got what I am in search after. After these words, to which the dervise made no other answer than that he should be overjoyed to see him again, and wished that might be the case, he mounted his horse, took his leave of the dervise with a low bow, and threw the bowl before him.
x
The bowl rolled away to the last with as much swiftness as when prince Bahman first delivered it out of his hand, which obliged him to put his horse to the same pace to follow it without losing sight of it, and when it came to the foot of the mountain which the dervise named, it stopped. The prince alighted from off his horse, which never stirred from the spot, though he had the bridle on his neck; and having first surveyed the mountain, and seen the black stones, he began to climb up it; but he had not gone four steps, before he heard the voices mentioned by the dervise, though he could see nobody. Some said, Where is that fool going? where is he going? what would he have? do not let him pass. Others, Stop him, catch him, kill him; and others with a voice like thunder, Thief! assassin! murderer! while some in a gibing tone, cried, No, no, do not hurt him; let the pretty fellow pass; the cage and bird are kept for him.
Notwithstanding all those troublesome voices, prince Bahman mounted with courage and resolution for some time, but the voices increasing with so loud a din so near him, both behind and before, at last he was seized with fear, his legs trembled under him, he staggered, and presently finding that his strength failed him, he forgot the dervise’s advice, turned about to run down the hill, and was that instant changed into a black stone, —a metamorphosis which had happened to so many before him, who had attempted the same thing. His horse likewise underwent the same change.
From the time of prince Bahman’s departure, the princess Parizade always wore the knife and sheath in her girdle, and pulled it out several times in a day to know whether her brother was alive. She had the consolation to understand he was in perfect health, and to talk of him frequently with prince Perviz, who sometimes prevented her by asking her what news.
On the fatal day that prince Bahman was metamorphosed into a stone, as prince Perviz and the princess were talking together in the evening, as usual, the prince desired his sister to pull out the knife, to know how their brother did. The princess drew out the knife, and looking upon it, and seeing the blood run down the point, was seized with so much horror and grief, that she threw it down. Ah! my dear brother, cried she; I have been the cause of your death, and shall never see you more! How unhappy am I! Why did I tell you of the speaking bird, singing tree, and yellow water? or rather, of what importance was it to me to know whether the religious woman thought this house ugly or handsome, or complete or not? I wish to heaven she had never addressed herself to me! Deceitful hypocrite! added she, is this the return you have made me for the kind reception I gave you? Why did you tell me of a bird, a tree, and a water, which, imaginary as I am persuaded they are, by my dear brother’s death, yet disturb me, by your enchantment.
Prince Perviz was as much afflicted at the death of prince Bahman as the princess; but not to waste time in needless regret, as he knew by the princess’s sorrow that she still passionately desired the possession of the speaking bird, the singing tree, and the golden water, he interrupted her, and said, Sister, our regret for our brother Bahman is vain and useless, for our grief and lamentations cannot restore him to life; it is the will of God, and we must submit to it, and adore the decrees of the Almighty, without searching into them. Why should you now doubt of the truth of what the holy woman told you? do you think she spoke to you of three things that were not in being? and that she invented them on purpose to deceive you, who had given her no cause to do so, but received her with so much goodness and civility? Let us rather believe that our brother’s death is owing to some fault of his, or some accident, which we cannot conceive. It ought not therefore to prevent us from pursuing our object. I offered to go this journey, and am in the same mind still; his example has no effect upon my resolution; to-morrow I will go myself.
The princess did all she could to dissuade prince Perviz, conjuring him not to expose her to the danger of losing two brothers instead of one; but he was resolved, and all the remonstrances she could urge had no effect upon him. Before he went, that she might know what success he had, as she did that of his brother by the knife, he left her a string of a hundred pearls, telling her, that if they would not run when she told them upon the string, but remain fixed, that should be a certain sign he had undergone the same late as his brother; but at the same time told her, he hoped that would never happen, but that he should have the happiness to see her again, to their mutual satisfaction.
Prince Perviz, on the twentieth day from his setting out, met with the same dervise in the same place his brother Bahman had done before him. He went directly up to him, and after he had saluted him, asked him if he could tell him where to find the speaking bird, the singing tree, and the golden water? The dervise made the same difficulties and remonstrances he had done to prince Bahman, telling him, that a young gentleman, who very much resembled him, was with him a short time before; that, overcome by his importunity and pressing instances, he showed him the way, gave turn a guide, and told him how he should act to succeed; but that he had not seen him since, and doubted not but he had shared the same fate as all before him.
Good dervise, answered prince Perviz, I know whom you speak of; he was my elder brother, and I am informed of the certainty of his death, but know not what it was. I can tell you, replied the dervise: he was changed into a black stone, as all I speak of have been; and you must expect the same change, unless you observe more exactly than he has done the good advice I gave him, in case you persist in your resolution, which I once more entreat you to renounce.
Dervise, said prince Perviz, I cannot enough express how much I am obliged to you for the care you take of my life, who am a stranger to you, and have done nothing to deserve your kindness: but I must tell you, I have thoroughly considered this enterprise before I undertook it, and I cannot give it up: therefore I beg of you to do me the same favour you have done my brother. Perhaps I may have better success in following the directions I expect from you. Since I cannot prevail with you, said the dervise, nor persuade you to give up your obstinate resolution, if my age did not prevent me, and I could stand, I would get up to reach you a bowl I have here, which will show you the way.
Without giving the dervise time to say more, the prince alighted from his horse, and went up to the dervise, who had taken a bowl out of his bag, in which he had a great many others, and gave it him, with the same directions he had given prince Bahman; and, after warning him not to be frightened at the voices he should hear, without seeing any body, however threatening they might be, but to continue his way up the hill till he saw the cage and bird, he let him go.
Prince Perviz thanked the dervise, and when he had remounted his horse, and taken his leave, he threw the bowl before his horse, and spurring him at the same time, followed it. When the bowl came to the bottom of the hill, it stopped, and the prince got off his horse, and stood some time to recollect the dervise’s directions. He encouraged himself, and began to walk up with a resolution to reach the top; but before he had gone above six steps, he heard a voice, which seemed to be very near him, as of a man behind him, say, in an insulting tone, Stay, rash youth, that I may punish you for your boldness.
Upon this affront, the prince forgetting the dervise’s advice, clapped his hand upon his sword and drew it, and turned about to revenge himself; but had scarce time to see that nobody followed him, before he and his horse were changed into black stones.
In the mean time the princess Parizade, several times a day after her brother Perviz set out, strung over her chaplet which she received from his hand the day he set out; and when she had nothing else to do, she told the grains over her fingers, one after another. She did not omit it at night, but when she went to bed put it about her neck; and in the morning when she awoke, counted over the pearls again to see if they would slide.
The day that prince Perviz was changed into a stone, she was pulling over the pearls as she used to do, when all of a sudden she could not stir them, and never doubted that it was a certain token that the prince her brother was dead. As she had determined before what to do, in case it should so happen, she lost no time in outward show of grief, which she concealed as much as possible; but having disguised herself in man’s apparel, armed and equipped, she mounted her horse the next morning, having told her servants she should return in two or three days, and took the same road her brothers had done before her.
The princess, who had been used to ride on horseback in hunting, supported the fatigue of so long a journey better than other ladies could have done; and as she made the same days’ journeys as her brothers, she also met with the dervise on the twentieth day. When she came near him, she alighted off her horse, and leading him by the bridle, went and sat down by the dervise, and after she had saluted him, she said, Good dervise, give me leave to rest myself by you; and do me the favour to tell me if you have not heard that there are somewhere hereabouts a speaking bird, a singing tree, and golden water.
Madam, answered the dervise, for so I must call you, since by your voice I know you to be a woman disguised in man’s apparel, I thank you for your compliment, and receive the honour you do me with great pleasure. I know the place very well where these things you speak of are to be found: but what makes you ask me this question?
Good dervise, replied the princess, I have had such an advantageous relation of them given me, that I have a very great desire to possess them. —Madam, replied the dervise, you have been told the truth. These things are more singular and surprising than they have been represented to you, but you have not been acquainted with the difficulties which must be surmounted in order to obtain them. If you had been fully informed of them, you would not have undertaken so troublesome and dangerous an enterprise. Take my advice; go no farther; return, and do not urge me to contribute towards your ruin.
Good father, said the princess, I have come a great way, and should be sorry to return home without executing my design. You talk of difficulties, and danger of my life; but you do not tell me what those difficulties are, and wherein the danger consists. This is what I desire to know, that I may consider of it, and judge whether I can or cannot trust my courage and strength to undertake it.
Then the dervise repeated to the princess Parizade what he had said to the princes Bahman and Perviz, exaggerating the difficulties of climbing up to the top of the mountain, where she was to make herself mistress of the bird, which would inform her of the singing tree and golden water; the noise and din of the terrible threatening voices which she would hear on all sides of her, without seeing any body; and in short, the great quantity of black stones, alone sufficient to strike terror into her and every one else. He entreated her to reflect, that those stones were so many brave gentlemen, so metamorphosed, for omitting to observe the principal condition for success in that undertaking, which was, not to look behind them before they had got possession of the cage.
When the dervise had done, the princess replied, By what I comprehend from your discourse, the difficulty of succeeding in this affair is, first, the getting up to the cage, without being frightened at the terrible din of voices I shall hear; and secondly, not to look behind me: for this last, I hope I shall be mistress enough of myself to observe it. As to the first, I own that those voices, such as you represent them to be, are capable of striking terror into the most undaunted; but as in all enterprises and dangers every one may use contrivance, I desire to know of you if I may make use of it in one of so great importance to me? And what is that you would make use of, said the dervise. To stop my ears with cotton, answered the princess, that the voices, however loud and terrible they may be, may make less impression on my imagination, and my mind may remain free from that disturbance which might make me lose the use of my reason.
Madam, replied the dervise, of all the persons who have addressed themselves to me, to ask the way, I do not know that ever any one made use of the contrivance you propose. All I know is, they all perished. If you persist in your design, you may make the experiment. You will be fortunate if it succeeds; but I would advise you not to expose yourself to the danger.
My good father, replied the princess, nothing prevents my persisting in my design. I am sure my contrivance will succeed, and am resolved to try the experiment. Nothing remains for me but to know which way I must go, a favour I conjure you not to refuse me. The dervise exhorted her again, for the last time, to consider well what she was going to do; but finding her resolute, he took out a bowl, and presenting it to her, said, Take this bowl; mount your horse again, and when you have thrown it before you, follow it through all its windings, till it stops at the bottom of the mountain, and there do you stop, light off your horse, and ascend the mountain. Go, you know the rest; but be sure not to forget to avail yourself of what I have told you.
After the princess Parizade had thanked the dervise, and taken her leave of him, she mounted her horse, threw the bowl before her, and followed it till it stopped at the foot of the mountain.
The princess alighted from her horse, stopped her ears with cotton; and after she had well examined the way she was to keep to get up to the top, she began with a moderate pace, and walked up with intrepidity. She heard the voices, and perceived the great service the cotton was to her. The higher she went, the louder and more numerous the voices seemed; but they were not capable of making any impression on her. She heard a great many affronting speeches, and raillery very disagreeable to a woman, which she only laughed at. I mind not, said she to herself, all that can be said, were it worse; I only laugh at them, and shall pursue my way. At last she got so high, that she began to perceive the cage and bird, which endeavoured, with the voices, to frighten her, crying in a thundering voice, notwithstanding the smallness of its size, Retire, fool, and come no higher.
The princess, encouraged more by this object, redoubled her haste, and soon saw herself just at her journey’s end; she got to the top of the mountain, where the ground was level; and running directly to the cage, and clapping her hand upon it, cried, Bird, I have you, in spite of you, and you shall not escape me.
When the princess Parizade was pulling the cotton out of her ears, the bird said to her, Brave lady, be not angry with me for joining with those who exerted themselves to preserve my liberty. Though kept in a cage, I was content with my condition; but since I am destined to be a slave, I would rather be yours than any other person’s in the world, since you have obtained me so courageously and so worthily. From this instant I swear inviolable fidelity to you, and an entire submission to your commands. I know who you are, and will tell you. You do not know yourself who you are; but the time will come when I shall do you a piece of service, which I hope you will think yourself obliged to me for. For a proof of my sincerity, tell me what you desire, and I am ready to obey you.
The princess’s joy was the more inexpressible, because the conquest she had made had cost her the lives of two beloved brothers, and given her more trouble and danger than she could have imagined before she tried it, notwithstanding what the dervise had represented to her. Bird, said she, it was my intention to have told you that I wish for many things which are of the last importance to me; and am overjoyed that you have shown your good will, and prevented me. I have been told that there is not far off a golden water, the property of which is very wonderful; before all things, I ask you to tell me where it is. The bird showed her the place, which was just by, and she went and filled a little silver flagon which she had brought along with her. She returned to the bird, and said, Bird, this is not enough; I want also the singing tree: tell me where it is. Turn about, said the bird, and you will see behind you a wood, where you will find this tree. The princess went into the wood, and by the harmonious concert she heard, soon knew the tree among many others, but it was very large and high. She came back to the bird, and said to it, Bird, I have found the singing tree, but I can neither pull it up by the roots nor carry it. The bird replied, It is not necessary that you should take it up by the roots; it is enough that you break off a branch, and carry it to plant in your garden: it will take root as soon as it is put into the earth, and in a little time will grow to as fine a tree as this you see.
When the princess Parizade had in her hand the three things which the religious woman had told her of, and for which she had conceived so great a desire, she said again to the bird, Bird, all you have done for me yet is not enough. You have been the cause of the death of my two brothers, who must be among the black stones which I saw as I came up the hill. I wish to take them home with me.
The bird seemed reluctant to satisfy the princess in this point, and, indeed, made some difficulty to do it. Bird, said the princess, remember you told me that you were my slave. You are so; and your life is at my disposal. I cannot controvert that truth, answered the bird; but, although what you now ask of me is more difficult than all the rest, yet I will do it for you. —Cast your eyes around, added he, and look if you can see a little pitcher. I see it already, said the princess. Take it, then, said he, and as you go down the hill, spill a little of the water that is in it upon every black stone, and that will be the way to find your brothers again.
The princess Parizade took up the pitcher, and carried with her the cage and bird, the flagon of golden water, and the branch of the singing tree; and as she went down the hill, spilt a little of the water on every black stone, which was changed immediately into a man; and as she did not miss one stone, all the horses, both of the princes her brothers, and of the other gentlemen, resumed their former shape. She presently knew prince Bahman and prince Perviz, as they did her, and ran to embrace her. She returned their embraces, and expressed her amazement. What do you here, my dear brothers? said she. They told her they had been asleep. Yes, replied she, and if it had not been for me, perhaps you might have slept till the day of judgment. Do not you remember that you came here to fetch the speaking bird, the singing tree, and the yellow water? and did not you see, as you came along, the place covered with black stones? Look and see if there be any now. The gentlemen you see here, and their horses which surround us, and you yourselves, were these black stones. If you desire to know how this wonder was performed, continued she, showing the pitcher, which she set down at the foot of the mountain, having no further use for it, it was done by virtue of the water which was in this pitcher, with which I sprinkled every stone. After I had made this speaking bird (which you see in this cage) my slave, by his directions I found out the singing tree, a branch of which I have now in my hand, and the yellow water, which this flagon is filled with; but being still unwilling to return home without taking you with me, I constrained the bird, by the power I had over him, to afford me the means. He told me where to find this pitcher, and the use I was to make of it.
x
Prince Bahman and prince Perviz knew by this discourse the obligation they had to the princess their sister, as did all the other gentlemen, who were collected round, and heard all that was said; and expressed to the princes, that, far from envying her happiness in the conquest she had made, and which they all aspired to, they thought that they could not any otherwise acknowledge the favour she had done them, or better express their gratitude to her for restoring them to life again, than by declaring themselves all her slaves, and that they were ready to obey her in whatever she should command.
Gentlemen, replied the princess, if you had given any attention to my discourse, you might have observed, that I had no other intention in what I have done than to find out my brothers again; therefore, if you have received any benefit, you have no obligation to me for it, and I have no further share in your compliment than your politeness towards me, and I return you my thanks, as I ought. In other respects, I look upon each of you individually as persons free, as you were before your misfortunes; and I rejoice with you for the happiness which has accrued to you by my means. Let us, however, stay no longer in a place where we have nothing to detain us, but mount our horses, and return to our respective homes.
The princess Parizade showed them the way. She went and took her horse, which stood in the same place where she left him. Before she mounted, prince Bahman, who would help her, desired her to give him the cage to carry. Brother, replied the princess, the bird is my slave, and I will carry him myself; if you will take the pains to carry the branch of the singing tree, there it is; only hold the cage while I get on horseback. When she had mounted her horse, and prince Bahman had given her the cage, she turned about, and said to prince Perviz, I leave the flagon of golden water to your care, if it will not be too much trouble for you to carry. Prince Perviz took charge of it with pleasure.
When prince Bahman and prince Perviz, and all the gentlemen, had mounted their horses, the princess Parizade waited for some of them to lead the way. The two princes paid that compliment to the gentlemen, and they again to the princess, who, finding that none of them would accept of the honour, but that it was reserved for her, addressed herself to them, and said, Gentlemen, I expect that some of you should lead the way; to which one who was nearest to her, in the name of the rest, replied, Madam, were we ignorant of the respect due to your sex, yet, after what you have done for us, there is no respect we would not willingly pay you, notwithstanding your modesty; we entreat you no longer to deprive us of the happiness of following you.
Gentlemen, said the princess, I do not deserve the honour you do me, and accept it only because you desire it. At the same time, she led the way, and the two princes and gentlemen followed her without the least distinction.
This illustrious company called upon the dervise, as they passed by, to thank him for his good reception and wholesome advice, which they all found to be sincere. But he was dead; whether of old age, or because he was no longer necessary to show the way to the obtaining the three rarities which the princess Parizade was possessed of, did not appear. They pursued their way, but lessened in their numbers every day. The gentlemen, who, as we said before, had come from different countries, after severally repeating their obligations to the princess and her brothers, took leave of them one after another as they approached the road by which they had come. The princess and the two princes made the best of their way home.
As soon as the princess came home, she placed the cage in the garden, just by the hall; and the bird no sooner began to sing, but he was surrounded by nightingales, chaffinches, larks, linnets, goldfinches, and a great many birds of the country. As for the branch of the singing tree, it was no sooner set in the midst of the parterre, a little distance from the house, but it took root, and in a short time became a large tree; the leaves of which soon gave as harmonious a concert as those of the tree from which it was gathered. As to the flagon of the yellow golden water, a large basin of beautiful marble was made in the midst of the parterre; and when it was finished, the princess poured into it all the yellow water that was in the flagon, which increased and swelled so much, that it soon reached up to the edges of the basin, and afterwards formed in the middle a fountain twenty feet high, which fell again into the basin perpetually, without running over.
The report of these wonders was presently spread abroad in that neighbourhood; and as the doors of the house and those of the gardens were shut to nobody, a great number of people came to admire them.
Some days after, when the princes Bahman and Perviz had recovered from the fatigue of their journeys, they resumed their former way of living; and as their usual diversion was hunting, they mounted their horses, and went for the first time since their return, not in their own park, but two or three leagues from their house. As they pursued their sport, the sultan of Persia came up hunting on the same spot of ground that they had made choice of. When they perceived by the number of horsemen in different places that he would soon be up, they resolved to leave off their chase, and retire to avoid meeting him; but in the very road they took, they chanced to meet him in so narrow a way, that they could not turn away nor retreat without being seen. In their surprise, they had only time to alight, and prostrate themselves before the sultan, without lifting up their heads to look at him. The sultan, who saw they were as well mounted and dressed as if they had belonged to his court, had the curiosity to see their faces. He stopped, and commanded them to rise. The princes rose up, and stood before the sultan with an easy and graceful air, accompanied with respectful, modest countenances. The sultan took some time to view them from head to foot, before he spoke; and after he had admired their good air and mien, he asked them who they were, and where they lived.
Sir, said prince Bahman, we are the sons of your majesty’s late intendant of your gardens; and we live in a house which he built, a little before he died, for us to live in, till we should be fit to serve your majesty, and ask of you some employment when opportunity offered.
By what I perceive from you, replied the sultan, you love hunting. Sir, answered prince Bahman, it is our common exercise, and what none of your majesty’s subjects, who intend to bear arms in your armies, ought, according to the ancient custom of the kingdom, to neglect. The sultan, charmed with so prudent an answer, said, Since it is so, I should be glad to see you hunt game; make choice of what you like.
The princes mounted their horses again, and followed the sultan; but had not gone far before they met a great many wild beasts together. Prince Bahman chose a lion, and prince Perviz a bear; and pursued them with so much intrepidity, that the sultan was surprised. They came up with their game nearly at the same time, and darted their javelins with so much skill and address, that they pierced, the one the lion, and the other the bear, through and through, so that the sultan, with his own eyes, saw them fall a little time one after the other. Immediately afterwards prince Bahman pursued another bear, and prince Perviz another lion, and killed them in a short time, and would have beat out for fresh game, but the sultan would not let them, but sent to them to come to him. When they came near him, he said, If I would have given you leave, you would soon have destroyed all my game: but it is not that which I would preserve, but your persons; for I am so very well assured your bravery may one time or other be serviceable to me, that from this moment your lives will be always dear to me.
The sultan Khosrouschah, in short, conceived so great a kindness for the two princes, that he invited them immediately to make him a visit; to which prince Bahman replied, Your majesty does us an honour we do not deserve; and we beg you will excuse us.
The sultan, who could not comprehend what reason the princes could have to refuse this token of his favour, asked and pressed them to tell him why they excused themselves. Sir, said prince Bahman, we have a sister younger than us, with whom we live in so perfect a union, that we undertake and do nothing before we consult her, nor she any thing without asking our advice. I commend your brotherly affection, answered the sultan. Consult your sister, meet me here to-morrow hunting, and give me an answer.
The princes went home; but not only forgot to speak of their adventure in meeting the sultan, and hunting with him, but to tell the princess the honour he had done them, by asking them to go home with him; yet did not the next morning fail to meet him at the place appointed. Well, said the sultan, have you spoken to your sister? And has she consented to the pleasure I expect of seeing you? The princes looked at each other and blushed. Sir, said prince Bahman, we beg your majesty to excuse us; for both my brother and I forgot. Then remember to-day, replied the sultan, and be sure to bring me an answer to-morrow.
The princes were guilty of the same fault a second time, and the sultan was so good-natured as to forgive their negligence; but to prevent their forgetfulness the third time, he pulled three little golden balls out of a purse, and put them into prince Bahman’s bosom. These balls, said he, smiling, will prevent your forgetting a third time what I wish you to do for my sake; since the noise they will make by falling on the floor, when you undress yourself, will remind you, if you do not recollect it before. The event happened just as the sultan foresaw; and without these balls the princes had not thought of speaking to their sister of this affair. For as prince Bahman unloosed his girdle to go to bed, the balls dropped on the floor, and thereupon he ran into prince Perviz’s chamber, and both went to princess Parizade’s apartment before she was got into bed, and after they had asked her pardon for coming at so unseasonable a time, they told her all the circumstances of their meeting the sultan.
The princess Parizade was somewhat surprised at this news. Your meeting with the sultan, said she, is very happy and honourable, and may in the end be very advantageous to you, but it is very disagreeable and distressing to me. It was on my account, I know, you refused the sultan, and I am infinitely obliged to you for it. I know by this your friendship is perfectly consistent with mine, since you would rather be guilty of incivility towards the sultan, than break the brotherly union we have sworn to each other. You judged right, that if you had once gone, you would insensibly have been engaged to leave me, to devote yourselves to him. But do you think it an easy matter absolutely to refuse the sultan what he seems so earnestly to desire? Sultans will be obeyed in their desires, and it may be dangerous to oppose them; therefore, if to follow my inclination, I should dissuade you from showing the complaisance he expects from you, it may expose you to his resentment, and may render myself and you miserable. These are my sentiments: but before we conclude on any thing, let us consult the speaking bird, and hear what he says; he is penetrating, and has promised his assistance in all difficulties.
The princess Parizade sent for the cage, and after she had related the fact to the bird in the presence of her brothers, she asked him what they should do in this perplexity. The bird answered, The princes your brothers must conform to the sultan’s pleasure, and in their turn invite him to come and see your house.
But, bird, replied the princess, my brothers and I love one another, and our friendship is unparalleled: will not this step be injurious to that friendship? Not at all, replied the bird; it will become stronger thereby. Then, answered the princess, the sultan will see me. The bird told her it was necessary he should see her, and that every thing would go better afterwards.
Next morning the princes met the sultan hunting, who, at as great a distance as he could make himself be heard, asked them, if they had remembered to speak to their sister. Prince Bahman drew near, and answered, Sir, your majesty may dispose of us as you please; we are ready to obey you; for we have not only obtained our sister’s consent with great ease, but she took it amiss that we should pay her that deference in a matter wherein our duty to your majesty was concerned. But she is so deserving of it, that if we have offended, we hope you will pardon us. Do not be uneasy upon that account, replied the sultan; so far from taking amiss what you have done, I approve of it, and hope you will have the same deference and attachment to my person, if I have ever so little share in your friendship. The princes, confounded at the sultan’s goodness, returned no other answer but by a low bow, to show the great respect with which they received it.
The sultan, contrary to his usual custom, did not hunt long that day. Presuming that the princes possessed wit equal to their courage and bravery, he longed with impatience to discourse with them more at liberty. He made them ride on each side of him, an honour which, without speaking of the principal courtiers who accompanied him, was envied by the grand vizier, who was very much mortified to see them preferred before him.
When the sultan entered his capital, the eyes of the people, who stood in crowds in the streets, were fixed only upon the two princes Bahman and Perviz; and they were earnest to know who they might be, whether foreigners or natives.
All, however, agreed in wishing that the sultan had been blessed with two such handsome lovely princes, and said, he might have had children as old, if the sultaness, who had suffered the punishment of her misfortune, had been more fortunate in her lyings-in.
The first thing that the sultan did when he arrived at the palace, was to carry the princes into the principal apartments; who praised, without affectation, like persons conversant in such matters, the beauty and symmetry of the rooms, and the richness of the furniture and ornaments. Afterwards a magnificent repast was served up, and the sultan made them sit at the same table with him, which they at first refused; but finding that it was his pleasure they obeyed.
The sultan, who had himself a great deal of wit, and had made a considerable progress in the sciences, and particularly in history, foresaw that the princes, out of modesty and respect, would not take the liberty of beginning any conversation. Therefore, to give them an opportunity, he began, and furnished them with subjects all dinner-time. But whatever he turned the discourse on, they showed so much wit, judgment, and discernment, that he was struck with admiration. Were these my own children said he to himself, and I had improved their talents by suitable education, they could not have been more ingenious or better informed. In short, he took so great pleasure in their conversation, that after having sat at table longer than usual, he went into his closet, where he discoursed a long time with them, and at last said to them, I never believed that there were, among my subjects in the country, young gentlemen so well brought up, so lively, so capable; and I never was better pleased in my life with any conversation than yours: but it is time now we should regale our minds with some diversions of my court; and as nothing is more capable of enlivening the mind than music, you shall hear a vocal and instrumental concert, which may not be disagreeable to you.
The sultan no sooner spoke for them, but the musicians, who had orders to attend, entered, and answered fully the expectations the princes had entertained of their abilities. After the concerts, an excellent farce was acted, and the entertainment was concluded by dancers of both sexes.
The two princes, seeing night drawing on apace, prostrated themselves at the sultan’s feet; and having first thanked him for the favours and honours he had heaped on them, asked his leave to retire; which was granted them by the sultan, who, dismissing them, said, I give you leave to go; but remember I brought you to the palace myself only to show you the way; you will be always welcome, and the oftener you come, you will do me the greater pleasure.
Before they went out of the sultan’s presence, prince Bahman said, Sir, may we presume to request that your majesty will do us and our sister the favour to pass by our house, and rest and refresh yourself after your fatigue, the first time you take the diversion of hunting in that neighbourhood? It is not worthy your presence; but monarchs sometimes have vouchsafed to take shelter in a cottage. Gentlemen, replied the sultan, your house cannot be otherwise than beautiful, and worthy of you. I will call and see it with pleasure, which will be the greater, to have for my hosts you and your sister, who is already dear to me before I have seen her, from the account you give me of the rare qualities with which she is endowed: and this satisfaction I will defer no longer than to-morrow morning. I will be early there to-morrow morning, at the same place where I shall never forget that I first saw you. Meet me, and you shall be my guides.
When the princes Bahman and Perviz went home, they gave the princess Parizade an account of the honourable reception the sultan had given them; and withal told her that they had invited him to do them the honour, as he passed by, to call at their house; and that he had appointed the next day.
If it be so, replied the princess, we must think presently of preparing a repast fit for his majesty; and for that end, I think it would be proper we should consult the speaking bird; he will tell us, perhaps, what meats the sultan likes best. The princes approved of her thought, and after they retired she consulted the bird alone. Bird, said she, the sultan will do us the honour to-morrow to come and see our house, and we are to entertain him; tell us what we shall do to acquit ourselves to his satisfaction.
Good mistress, replied the bird, you have excellent cooks, let them do the best they can; but above all things, let them prepare a dish of cucumbers, stuffed full of pearls, which must be set before the sultan in the first course before all other meats.
Cucumbers stuffed full of pearls! cried princess Parizade, with amazement; surely, bird, you do not know what you say; it is an unheard-of dish. The sultan may admire it as a piece of magnificence, but he will sit down to table to eat, and not to admire pearls; besides, the pearls I am worth are not enough for such a dish.
Mistress, said the bird, do what I say, and be not uneasy at what shall happen. Nothing but good will follow. As to the pearls, go early to-morrow morning to the foot of the first tree on your right hand, in the park, and dig under it, and you will find more than you want.
That night the princess ordered a gardener to be ready to wait on her, and the next morning early took him with her, and carried him to the tree the bird told her of, and bade him dig at its foot. When the gardener came to a certain depth, he found some resistance to the spade, and presently discovered a gold box about a foot square, which he showed the princess. This, said she, is what I brought you for; take care not to hurt it with the spade.
When the gardener took up the box, he gave it into the princess’s hands, who, as it was only fastened with neat little hasps, soon opened it, and found it full of pearls of a moderate size; but equal and fit for the use that was to be made of them. Very well satisfied with having found this treasure, after she had shut the box again, she put it under her arm, and went back to the house, while the gardener threw the earth into the hole at the foot of the tree as before.
The princes Bahman and Perviz, who, as they were dressing themselves in their own apartments, saw the princess their sister in the garden earlier than usual, as soon as they could get out, went to her, and met her as she was coming back, with a gold box under her arm, which very much surprised them. Sister, said Bahman, you carried nothing with you when we saw you before with the gardener, and now we see you have got a golden box: is this some treasure found by the gardener, and did he come and tell you of it?
No, brother, answered the princess, I carried the gardener to the place where this coffer was hid, and showed him where to dig: but you will be more amazed when you see what it holds.
The princess opened the box, and when the princes saw it was full of pearls, which, though small, were of great value, they asked her how she came to the knowledge of this treasure. Brothers, said she, if nothing more pressing calls you elsewhere, come with me, and I will tell you. What more pressing business, said prince Perviz, can we have than to be informed of what concerns us so much? We have nothing to do but meet you. The princess, as they returned back to the house, gave them an account of her consulting the bird, as they had agreed she should, and the answer he gave her; the objection she raised to preparing a dish of cucumbers stuffed full of pearls, and pointed out the manner of doing it, and how he had told her where to find this box. The princes and princess formed many conjectures to penetrate into what the bird could mean by ordering them to prepare such a dish; and after much conversation, though they could not by any means guess at his reason for so doing, they nevertheless agreed to follow his advice exactly.
As soon as the princess got into the house, she called for the head cook; and after she had given him directions about the entertainment for the sultan, she said to him, Besides all this you must dress an extraordinary dish for the sultan’s own eating, which nobody else must have any thing to do with besides yourself. This dish must be of cucumbers stuffed with these pearls; and at the same time she opened the box, and showed him the pearls.
The chief cook, who had never heard of such a dish, started back, and showed by his looks his thoughts; which the princess penetrating into, said, I see you take me to be mad to order such a dish, which you never heard of, and which one may say with certainty was never made. I know this as well as you; but I am not mad, and give you these orders with the most perfect recollection. You must go and invent and do the best you can, and bring me back what pearls are left. The cook could make no reply, but took the box and went away with it: and afterwards the princess gave directions to all the servants to have every thing in order, both in the house and gardens, to receive the sultan.
Next day the two princes went to the place appointed; and as soon as the sultan of Persia came, the chase began, which lasted till the heat of the sun obliged him to leave off. While prince Bahman stayed to conduct the sultan to their house, prince Perviz rode before to show the way, and when he came in sight of the house, spurred his horse, to inform the princess Parizade that the sultan was coming; but she had been told by some servants whom she placed to give notice before, and the prince found her waiting ready to receive him.
When the sultan entered the court-yard, and alighted at the portico, the princess Parizade came and threw herself at his feet, and the two princes informed him she was their sister, and besought him to accept of her respects.
The sultan stooped to help her up, and after he had gazed some time on her beauty, and, struck with her good person, noble air, and aje ne scai quoi, which seemed different from the country where she lived, he said, The brothers are worthy of the sister, and she worthy of them; and to judge of her understanding by her person, I am not amazed that the brothers would do nothing without their sister’s consent; but, added he, I hope to be better acquainted with you, madam, after I have seen the house.
Sir, said the princess, it is only a plain country-house, fit for such people as we are, who live retired from the great world. It is not to be compared with houses in great cities, much less with magnificent palaces of sultans. I cannot perfectly agree with you in opinion, said the sultan, very obligingly, for its first appearance makes me suspect you; however, I will not pass my judgment upon it till I have seen it all; therefore be pleased to conduct me through the apartments.
The princess led the sultan through all the rooms but the hall; and, after he had considered them all very attentively, and admired their variety, My fair one, said he to the princess Parizade, do you call this a country-house? The finest and largest cities would soon be deserted, if all country-houses were like yours. I am no longer surprised that you take so much delight in it, and despise the town. Now let me see the garden, which I doubt not is answerable to the house.
The princess opened a door which led into the garden; and the first object that presented itself to the sultan’s view was the golden fountain. Surprised at so rare a sight, he asked from whence came that wonderful water, which gave so much pleasure to behold; where was its source? and by what art it was made to play so high, that he thought nothing in the world was to be compared to it? He said he would presently take a nearer view of it.
Then the princess led him to the spot where the harmonious tree was planted; and there the sultan heard a concert, which was different from all the concerts he had ever heard in his life: and stopping to see where the musicians were, he could discern nobody far nor near; but still distinctly heard the music, which ravished his senses. My fair one, said he, to the princess Parizade, where are the musicians whom I hear? Are they under ground, or invisible in the air? Such excellent, charming voices, will hazard nothing by being seen; on the contrary, they would please the more.
Sir, answered the princess smiling, it is not musicians, but the tree your majesty sees before you, which forms this concert; and if you will give yourself the trouble to go a little nearer to it, you will not doubt it, and the voices will be the more distinct.
The sultan went nearer, and was so charmed with the sweet harmony, that he would never have been tired with hearing it, but that his desire to have a nearer view of the fountain of yellow water forced him away. Fair one, said he, tell me, I pray you, whether this wonderful tree was found in your garden by chance, or if it was a present made to you, or have you procured it from some foreign country? It must certainly have come a great way off, otherwise, curious as I am after natural rarities, I should have heard of it. What name do you call it by?
Sir, replied the princess, this tree has no other name than that of the singing tree, and is not a native of this country. It will be too long to tell you by what adventures it came here; its history is connected with the yellow water and the speaking bird, which came to me at the same time, and which your majesty may see after you have taken a nearer view of the golden water. But if it be agreeable to your majesty, after you have rested yourself, and recovered the fatigue of hunting, which must be the greater because of the sun’s intense heat, I will do myself the honour of relating it to you.
My fair one, replied the sultan, my fatigue is so well recompensed by the wonderful things you have shown me, that I do not feel it in the least. I think only of the trouble I give you. Let us finish by seeing the yellow water. I am impatient to see and admire the speaking bird.
When the sultan came to the yellow water, his eyes were fixed so stedfastly upon the fountain, that he could not take them off. At last, addressing himself to the princess, he said, As you tell me, fair one, that this water has no spring or communication hereabouts, by any means whatsoever, I conclude that it is foreign, as well as the singing tree.