Page:Fairy tales from the Arabian nights.djvu/279

 The prince made use of this favourable moment, bowed his head down to the ground, and rising, said, 'Most noble princess, by the most extraordinary and wonderful adventure imaginable you see here at your feet a suppliant prince, the son of the King of Persia, who was yesterday morning with his father at his court, at the celebration of a solemn feast, and is now in a strange country, in danger of his life, if you have not the goodness and generosity to give him your assistance and protection. These I implore, adorable princess, with confidence that you will not refuse me.



So much beauty and majesty cannot entertain the least inhumanity.'

This princess, to whom Prince Firouz Schah so fortunately addressed himself, was the Princess of Bengal, eldest daughter of the king of that kingdom, who had built this palace at a small distance from his capital, whither she went to enjoy the country. After she had heard the prince, she replied with kindness: 'Prince, you are not in a barbarous country; take courage; hospitality, humanity, and politeness are to be met with in the kingdom of Bengal, as well as in that of Persia. It is not I who grant you the protection you ask; you may find it not only in my palace, but