Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 6.djvu/392

362 desiring thine alliance, and I come to thee, seeking and craving the hand of thy daughter, the chaste lady and treasured jewel Heyat en Nufous, in marriage for his son Ardeshir: wherefore, if thou consent to this, accepting of him, do thou agree with me for her marriage-portion.’ ‘I hear and obey,’ answered Abdulcadir. ‘For my part, I make no objection, and nothing can be more agreeable to me; but the girl is of full age and reason and her affair is in her own hand. So I will refer it to her and she shall choose for herself.’ Then he turned to the chief eunuch and bade him go and acquaint the princess with this. So he repaired to the harem and kissing the princess’s hands, acquainted her with the Great King’s proposal, saying, ‘What sayst thou in answer?’ ‘I hear and obey,’ replied she. So the eunuch returned to the King and gave him her answer, whereat he rejoiced with an exceeding joy and calling for a sumptuous robe of honour, threw it over the Vizier’s shoulders. Moreover, he ordered him ten thousand dinars and bade him carry the answer to the Great King and crave leave for him to pay him a visit. ‘I hear and obey,’ answered the Vizier, and returning to his master, delivered him the reply and Abdulcadir’s message, whereat he rejoiced greatly and Ardeshir was transported for joy and his breast expanded and he was glad.

Moreover, King Seif el Aazem gave King Abdulcadir leave to come forth to visit him; so, on the morrow, he took horse and rode to the camp of the Great King, who came to meet him and saluting him, seated him in the place of honour, and they two sat, whilst Ardeshir stood before them. Then arose an orator of the Great King’s court and pronounced an eloquent discourse giving Ardeshir joy of the attainment of his desire and of his marriage with the princess, queen of kings’ daughters. When he sat down, King Seif el Aazem caused bring a chest full of pearls and jewels, together with fifty thousand